  What's New! Detailed Sitemap All images © by Roberto Piperno, owner of the domain. Write to romapip@quipo.it. Text edited by Rosamie Moore. Page added in April 2007. |
  Lindos(relief in the fortress of Bodrum) Lindos is one of the most ancient towns of Rhodes and it was the site of a shrine dedicated to Athena. It is located on the eastern coast of the island on a high rock between two natural harbours.
The acropolis of Lindos can only be accessed by a narrow path on its northern side and this explains why the Knights chose the site for building one of their first fortresses.
The steps leading to the fortress are modern: in ancient times and also during the time of the Knights the access was much more difficult as the steps were cut into the rock; at the foot of them there is a very interesting relief showing an ancient ship: it was part of a monument to Hagesandros, a priest to Poseidon (Neptune).
Archaeologists started working in the fortress in the early XXth century and they have been able to locate the site of the ancient shrine which is now being partially reconstructed. The apse of a church stands next to the main building of the Knights.
The smaller harbour of Lindos is very well protected by rocks: the access is very narrow. It is thought that St Paul stopped at Lindos on his journey to Rome and so the harbour is named after him.
Pierre d'Aubusson was Grand Master of the Order for 27 years (1476-1503) and he placed his coat of arms on both the fortress and the main church located in the town below. With the capitulation of Rhodes in 1522 the Knights left Lindos and the fortress was occupied by a small Ottoman garrison.
The Knights decorated their portals, windows and the frames surrounding their coats of arms with a plait motif. In Lindos this tradition survived during the Ottoman rule and the Greek inhabitants of the town continued to decorate their houses with it. Move to: The Knights of Rhodes: introductory page Rhodes: the Gates Rhodes: the fortifications Rhodes: the town of the Knights Rhodes: Byzantine, Ottoman and Jewish memories Rhodes: modern Italian architecture Kos: the fortress Kos: the ancient town St Peter's Castle (Bodrum) Calimno Lero Symi Nissiro Castelrosso (Kastelorizo) Other fortresses Clickable Map of the Ionian and Aegean Seas with links to other locations covered in this website (opens in a separate window)     |
