The Acropolis, the place of the first settlers of ancient Greece, served as a safe haven and preserved to this day the memory of historical events and the culture of ancient times. It is a monumental fortification, where the routes of seafarers crossed, has been celebrated in literary works and has been called the "jewel of Rhodes".
The Temple of Athena Linda
The Rhodesian city of Lindos, like all the ancient Greek settlements, had its own patroness, or more precisely, a patroness. The locals prayed to Athena Linda for well-being, prosperity and protection against enemies. For the rites of worship and offerings, a temple was built in her honor that was the main building of the city. The temple was designed in the 4th century BC by an architect whose name remains unknown.
Legends say that Athena Linda protected the city from the encroachments of Darius' army. When the general Dathis came to the shores of Rhodes, the locals took refuge in the upper city, outside the walls of Lindos. The invaders did not dare to storm the hill, but kept the city under siege for a long time. Beyond the impregnable walls, the people ran out of drinking water and then Athena sent them abundant showers, thanks to which the Greeks were able not to die of thirst. Dathis was forced to retreat.
Bas-relief of an ancient ship
An ancient monument of the ancient period is the bas-relief of a warship protruding from the rock itself. It was a pedestal for the sculptural monument of a certain Agesander - the hero of the sea battles for Rhodes. It is the only image of its kind, a testimony to Greek art, partially preserved to this day. According to archaeologists, the statue was placed in the stern, but was destroyed over time.
Much about the object remains unknown. The name of the vessel, if we are to believe the sources, is trireme - a galley with three rows of oars. But it is impossible to say with absolute certainty that it was a warship. In those distant times, the type of ship was determined only by the bow: military ships had a ram, and the bas-relief has no such part. Perhaps this is also the cost of time. But in any case, the ship in the rock is a monument to the maritime power of Lindos and the island of Rhodes.
The Amphitheater
The amphitheater was designed for the contemplation of spectacles. The peculiarity of this place is that it was not built, but carved directly into the rock. And only thanks to this, its details have been preserved until today. Based on these remains, experts can make their own assumptions and conclusions.
It is estimated that the amphitheater could accommodate about 1,800 spectators. Costume performances, oratorical speeches, discussions of important political issues and debates were arranged for them. The noblest and richest residents sat in the first three rows, fenced off from the others. Sixteen more rows were reserved for the less wealthy citizens. The commoners were seated on the last seven.
The Acropolis of Lindos today
A narrow, winding serpentine path leads to the acropolis. On entering the territory of the ancient site you can see several attractions, historical monuments and learn a lot of fascinating facts. Here the traveler sees the castle of the Grand Master, the ancient remains of the temple of Diocletian, the Church of St. John and the Gates of the Propylaeum.
The Acropolis of Lindos is like a crossroads of times: a special magical atmosphere is created by the ancient shrines dating back to 400 B.C., where sacrifices to the gods were made, a Roman temple of the Middle Ages and a Christian chapel are located nearby. In addition, from the top of the cliff there is an incredibly beautiful sea panorama that is breathtaking.
Lindos itself is a great historical place, which is admired for its magnificence and its views. If you don't get lazy and go the hard way to the top, the effort is more than compensated by the incredible experience of ancient monuments and the contact with life and life of previous generations.
