Overall Score
On the shores of the Sea of Aegean, the island of Rhodes is a unique city. It has always been an important point of maritime communication in the Mediterranean.
It was founded in the northern part of the island in 408 A.D. to control the shipping on the east side of the Sea of Aegean. In ancient times the city had five ports and a large number of churches. Many of the medieval streets that survived to this day resembled those of the antebellum period. The city was at its highest point during that period, the first to the first century A.D.
In the period of the Christian era, the island was part of the Empire, a major trading and naval base, as well as the seat of the Orthodox metropolitanate. From 977 the island was under Arab rule. In 1309 the island was landed – the port was again at the center of life in the Middle Kingdom. ×Through it lay the path of thousands of pilgrims on their way to the Holy Land. The kings were actively engaged in the reconstruction of the fortifications and the construction of new walls and gave the city a medieval appearance. In 1522, as a result of a 6-month siege, the city was taken by the Somali army, and in 1912 was part of their empire. During the rule of Turok, many of the churches were converted to churches. From 1912, the island was occupied by Italians, who were actively reconstructing the buildings and fortresses. Since 1947, Rhodes has been part of the State of Greece.
Rhodes is famous for being home to the Wonder of Light – the giant statue of the Colossus of Rhodes. It was erected to commemorate the God Helios and to mark the end of the siege of the city by the Macedonians at the beginning of the fourth century AD. The wheel rose to a height of 36 meters at the entrance to the cave and was demolished by an earthquake about seven hundred years after it was installed.
Another noteworthy feature is the Crescent of the Order of the Statesmen, now on the World Heritage List of UNESCO. The knights defended the fortress for 213 years, and it was considered the strongest fortress of its time. It is also home to many churches and cathedrals, ancient, Islamic, and Italian architecture, as well as signs of the Antique period.
Overall Score
- Tap water: No, not drinkable
- Religious government: Ambiguous
- Population: 90,000 people
- GDP: $17,230 / year
- Foreigners can own real estate: Yes
- Power outlets: 230V50Hz
- Internet: 14 Mbps
- Best wireless: Cosmote
- Pay without cash: Yes, cards OK almost everywhere
- Tipping: A gratuity of between 5% and 10% is a good guide. Leave it on the table with the bill, give it to the waiter directly, or tell the waiter you don’t want change. In some restaurants, the owner does not allow their staff to keep the tips.
- Apartment listings: Spitogatos
- Apartments: Airbnb
- Hotels: Booking.com
- More hotels: Hotels.com
- Best coffee: Fournariko Bakery
- Best taxi: Beat
- Online electronics shop: Skroutz
- Best hospital: Med Life S.A.
- Best short-haul air carrier: Aegean Airlines
- Best intl air carrier: Aegean Airlines
- Monthly costs for expat: $1900
- Monthly costs for family: $2600
- Monthly costs for local: $750
- Meal: $18
- Small Cola: $1.8
- Beer 1 Pint: $3.5
- Coffee: $3.5
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