Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese islands (δωδεκανησα – dodekanisa – twelve islands) which comprise twelve larger and 150 smaller islands in the Aegean Sea off the southwest coast of Turkey. Besides Rhodes (Ροδος – Rodos), the others are Kos, Patmos, Astipalea, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kasos, Leros, Nisyros, Symi, Tilos and Kastelorizo (which is actually in the eastern Mediterranean sea). The Dodecanese have a rich and varied history and even the smallest inhabited islands feature Byzantine churches and medieval castles. Rhodes is the most well known and for millenia has been the island from which the others are controlled.
The Dodecanese have been populated since prehistoric times and Rhodes has one of the most colourful and varied histories of all. In its time it has been part of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires, has been ruled by the Knights Hospitalier (Knights of St John) and the Italians, was visited by Saint Paul twice and St John several times and was home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Colossus of Rhodes.
The amazingly diverse history of this beautiful island which straddles east and west at the crossroads of civilizations has resulted in a wealth of ancient monuments, churches and architecture all over Rhodes. The Old Town, the island’s capital and port, is now a World Heritage site and the largest inhabited medieval city in Europe. For more information please visit www.rodosisland.gr
