Overview
Beneath the modern village of Lindos rises the acropolis of Lindos, a natural citadel which was fortified successively by the Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Knights of St John and the Ottomans.
Today, the ascent to the acropolis follows the same steep path as in antiquity. The medieval castle of the Knights of St John, built some time before 1317, encloses the entire surface of the hill.
The ancient sanctuary occupies the top of the acropolis. To reach the temple of Athena, one passes through the great Doric stoa and then ascends the 34 stairs that end up to the Propylaea of the Sanctuary, dating from the 4th century BC. A monumental staircase leads to a D-shaped stoa and a wall with five door openings.
You may also see the following when you visit the acropolis of Lindos:
- The Hellenistic stoa with lateral projecting wings, dating from about 200 BC. The stoa was 87 metres long and consisted of 42 columns.
- The well-known relief of a Rhodian trireme (warship) cut into the rock at the foot of the steps leading to the acropolis. The relief dates from about 180 BC.
- The Hellenistic staircase (2nd century BC) leading to the main archaeological area of the acropolis.
- The Greek Orthodox Church of St John, dating from the 13th or 14th century and built on the ruins of a previous church, which may have been built as early as the 6th century.
- Remains of a Roman temple, possibly dedicated to the Emperor Diocletian and dating from about 300 AD.
The acropolis of Lindos is a must-visit archaeological sight and offers spectacular views of the surrounding harbours and coastline.