The Acropolis of Lindos, Rhodes, Dodecanese, Greece

Dating back to the 4th century BC, The Acropolis of Lindos, Rhodes, Dodecanese, Greece, sits atop a rock on the highest point above the town of Lindos in the southeast of the island

 

“Nestling at the foot of a steep rock and beautifully surrounded by the sea lies the traditional settlement of Líndos; on the top of the same rock stands a centuries-old acropolis, proudly overlooking the archipelagos.  The acropolis bears silent witness to Líndos’ glorious past, a major naval power of ancient times which reputedly had a population of 17,000.”

 

The Acropolis of Lindos, Rhodes, Dodecanese, Greece, is surrounded by a Hellenistic wall dating back to the 4th century BC

 

“According to tradition the temple of Athena on the acropolis was founded by Danaus, who came to the island with his 50 daughters to escape the rage of the goddess Hera.  Follow the same ancient path that the ancient Rhodians took.  When you reach the acropolis you will see a 280 BC relief of a Rhodian Trireme (ancient Greek warship) carved into the rock, an indication of the naval power of ancient Rhodes.  On the bow of the Trireme stood a statue of General Agesander, sculpted by Pythokritos.  Did you know that the first naval code, the famous “Rhodian Naval Code”, a code of international law and one of the most important legal documents in the world was written here in Rhodes?  The emperor Antonio wrote of the Rhodian Naval Code:  We may rule the world but the Rhodian Code rules the seas!

 

A partial reconstruction of a temple in The Acropolis of Lindos, Rhodes, Dodecanese, Greece

 

“Through an ancient old gate you enter the world of the magnificent acropolis; on the first level you can see more recent buildings like the 1317 Castle of the Knights of St John, which was built on the foundations of an older Byzantine fortification.  There is also the Greek Orthodox Church of St John, built on the ruins of an older church. The Knights significantly strengthened the fortifications of the acropolis, turning Líndos into a powerful fortified castle.  On the second level to the south you can marvel at the remains of the 300 BC Doric Temple of Athena Lindia, which was built on the site of an earlier temple [see photograph, below].  At the entrance to the acropolis there is a Hellenistic stoa (covered walkway) where vaulted constructions that were once underground water storage tanks are still visible.

 

Staircase of the Propylaia (a monumental gateway in Greek architecture), The Acropolis of Lindos, Rhodes, Dodecanese, Greece

 

Doric columns (reconstructed) at the base of the staircase of the Propylaia, The Acropolis of Lindos, Rhodes, Dodecanese, Greece

 

“A monumental staircase leads to the upper level of the sanctuary consisting of the 4th century BC buildings: the Propýlea (gateways) that were built in the same style as the Athenian Propýlea, a big peristyle open air courtyard and a small Doric temple of Athena, where the statue dedicated to the Goddess by Danaus and his daughters was situated and worshipped; from this position the sweeping views of the Aegean will take your breath away…” — www.visitgreece.gr

 

Partial reconstruction of the metopes (rectangular architectural elements that fill the space between two triglyphs in a Doric frieze, which is a decorative band of alternating triglyphs and metopes above the architrave of a building of the Doric order) atop the columns of a stoa at the base of the staircase to the Propylaia, The Acropolis of Lindos, Rhodes, Dodecanese, Greece

 

Partially reconstructed Doric Temple of Athena Lindia, dating to 300 BC, The Acropolis of Lindos, Rhodes, Dodecanese, Greece

 

Columns atop the fortress of The Acropolis of Lindos, Rhodes, Dodecanese, Greece, with the shadow of columns of the Temple of Athena Lindia, just before sunset