Archaeological
Levante Beach Resort – The Roman Kiln of Afandou
The Levante Beach Resort is located on the island that owes its name to one of God Neptune’s mythical nymph daughters, Rhodes, the fruit of love between the Master of the Seas and Amphitrite. Such mythological origins should in themselves suffice for one to fathom Neptune on his majestic chariot drawn by magical seahorses, celebrating the voluptuous union of his charming offspring with Helios, the Sun God. No wonder, therefore, that since times immemorial, Helios has been considered the protector of the island of Rhodes.
Archaeological excavations conducted in the area where the Levante Beach Resort currently rises have revealed a multitude of important vestiges (amongst which coins, utensils, seahorse simulacra, etc.) paying witness to the glory of the Rhodian past, from the early Hellenistic (3rd century B.C.) and through to the early Christian period (7th century A.D.). It is nevertheless too early to claim victory on the sufficiency of information since investigations into such critical findings by the Hellenic Archaeological Service are still underway.
What we can say for sure, however, is that this area used to harbor some well-organized crafting activities, most probably in the form of manufacture of tiles and other construction materials. Investigations were more specifically conducted at the level of the remains of a construction – dubbed “Construction A” – in the southernmost area of the terrain’s central zone. Its major axis oriented from North to South, this construction’s dimensions were 32.30 x 20.90 m. Rooms in that building were arranged around an inner courtyard, possibly half-roofed, as the pessary-style pillar bases suggest.
The walls – preserved up to a height of 0.90 m from the ground and of an average thickness of some 0.55 m – were predominantly made of smoothened stones (pebbles). Speculation has it that the premises housed the activities of some kind of workshop (possibly specializing in the processing and preparation of clay and/or lime), although the possibility of the building having also been used to accommodate the workers may not be excluded, all the more since quite a number of cooking utensils have been unearthed.
The entire such manufacturing installation, judging from the archaeological findings, is estimated to date from sometime between the early Hellenistic (3rd century B.C.) and the early Christian period (7th century A.D.). Apparently, the coastal zone between the settlements of Afandou and Kolymbia favored the development of manufacturing workshops, the products of which could easily be channeled towards the markets of the known world by sea. The deposition, over the various architectural vestiges, of layers of pebbles and smoothened stones suggest that the cause of destruction of the (by then already abandoned) installation may have been the consecutive overflows of Loutanis River.
Two furnaces, dating from the late archaic period, have also been unearthed. The westernmost one of such furnaces was found to have been used for the production of lime (limekiln). Circular in shape and of an internal diameter of 4.20 m, such limekiln had been constructed in uncooked bricks, layers of which, at a height of +1.18 m, may still be seen. The intake point of the furnace – actually the debit spot of a firing channel – was arranged on the western part of the construction. Late Christian period (6th–7th century A.D.).
On the eastern part, the second furnace – piriform and of an internal diameter (on the North-to-South axis) of 2.85 m – was destined to the manufacture of earthen objects. Its well-shaped inner walls, also made of rectangular uncooked bricks, reinforced with stone-layers on the outside, are still preserved at a height of 1.70 m above ground. The intake spot was arranged on the furnace’s eastern side. Four, primitively symmetric blocks were detected within the furnace, having presumably served as supports of some kind of grid. Late Christian period (6th–7th century A.D.).
The History of Rhodes
Rhodes is the largest island of the Dodecanese. It is situated at the crossroads of two sea routes of the Mediterranean, between the Aegean Sea and the coasts of the Middle East. Throughout its long history, Rhodes was inhabited by different peoples who have left their mark on all aspects of the island's culture, art, language, and architecture. Its strategic location brought the island great wealth and made the city of Rhodes one of the most prominent cities of ancient Greece. The capital of Rhodes is located at the northern tip of the island. At its center is the Medieval City, which in 1988 was designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Classical Period
The island was inhabited at the end of the Neolithic period (4000 BC). The city of Rhodes was formed by the cities of Ialysos, Kamiros, and Lindos in 408 BC, and prospered for three centuries during its Golden Age. Rhodes produced exceptional art during this period. The most renowned creation was the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, built by the Lindian sculptor Chares between 304 and 293 BC. The Colossus was completed in 282 BC and represented the sun god Helios , until a great earthquake struck Rhodes in 226 BC.
Roman Period
The city lost its independence in 164 BC when Rhodes became a province of the Roman Empire. However, until the 1st century AD, Rhodes was able to keep its beauty and develop into a leading center of learning for arts and science.
Byzantine Period
During the early Christian Period (330-650 AD), Rhodes was part of the Byzantine Empire. The city shrunk in size and was fortified with new walls; it was then divided into two zones. The Arabs attacked Rhodes and occupied it for several decades in the 7th century AD.
Knights' Period
In 1309 BC (this date is an error in the original document, referring to the time the Knights acquired the city around 1309 AD) , the city was sold to The Order of St. John, which was founded in the 12th century AD in Jerusalem. The city was divided into two zones by an inner wall : the Northern part, known as Chastel or Conventus, was the site of the Grand Master's Palace and the Knights' quarters; the Southern part, known as ville or burgum, was the area where the laymen lived and included the market, synagogues, and churches.
Ottoman Period
In 1522 AD, the Ottoman Turks captured the city after a long siege. The Greeks were forced to leave the fortified city and move to areas outside the walls. During this rule, new buildings were erected, such as mosques and public baths. Most buildings from the Knights' Period in the Medieval City were well preserved, resulting in a mixture of oriental architecture with imposing western architectural elements.
Italian Period
Italian troops captured the island in 1912 AD. The Italians demolished houses built on the walls, converted the Jewish and Ottoman cemetery into a "green zone," and re-built the Grand Master's Palace. They transformed the town with a new urban plan and extensive infrastructure works (roads, electricity, port).
Modern Period
In 1988, the Medieval City of Rhodes was designated as a World Heritage City by UNESCO.
The Sites of Rhodes
- Medieval City: Designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1988.
- Palace of the Grand Master: One of the most important monuments of the Knights Order.
- Archaeological Museum of Rhodes: Housed at the Hospital of Knights of the 15th century.
- Acropolis of Rhodes (Monte Smith Hill): Preserved antiquities include the restored ancient Stadium of Diagoras and the ruins of the Temple of Apollo.
- Aquarium of Rhodes: Built by the Italians in 1934 and operates as a research center.
- Valley of the Butterflies: Rare habitat where the butterfly Panaxia Quadripunctaria makes its appearance from mid-June to end of September.
- Kallithea Springs: The waters are suitable and therapeutic for a variety of ailments.
- Lindos: Features the Acropolis of Lindos with the Temple of Athena Lindia from the 4th century.
- Monastery of Panagia Filerimos: Built by the Knights in the 14th century AD.