Blog Article
History of Lindos, Rhodes: From Ancient City to Today
The history of Lindos in Rhodes: Dorian founding, Cleobulus the sage, the Temple of Athena Lindia, St. Paul, the Knights of St. John and the captains' houses.
The History of Lindos
Lindos is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in Greece. Here is its story, from antiquity to today.
Ancient Lindos
Lindos was one of three great city-states of Rhodes, along with Ialysos and Kamiros, and was founded by the Dorians around the 10th century BC. Thanks to its two natural harbors, it became a powerful naval and trading city that founded colonies across the Mediterranean.
Cleobulus, One of the Seven Sages
In the 6th century BC, Lindos was ruled by Cleobulus, counted among the Seven Sages of ancient Greece. He is credited with the saying "Moderation is best." A circular tomb known as the Tomb of Cleobulus still stands on the headland opposite the village.
The Temple of Athena Lindia
The acropolis was a sanctuary of Athena Lindia from early times. The temple you see today dates mainly from the 4th century BC, after an earlier temple burned down. Pilgrims came from all over the ancient world.
Rhodes Unites (408 BC)
In 408 BC, Lindos, Ialysos and Kamiros founded the new city of Rhodes. Lindos lost political power but remained an important religious center.
Saint Paul in Lindos
According to tradition, the Apostle Paul landed in Lindos in 51 AD to preach Christianity. The beautiful bay where he landed is now called St. Paul's Bay, and it's a very popular wedding chapel location.
The Byzantine and Knights' Era
In the Byzantine period, the acropolis was fortified. After 1309, the Knights of St. John strengthened the walls and built the castle you see today. Lindos became one of their most important strongholds.
Ottoman Rule and the Captains' Houses
After the Ottomans took Rhodes in 1522, Lindos flourished through sea trade. Wealthy ship captains built the famous Captains' Houses in the 16th–18th centuries, with carved stone doorways and pebble-mosaic courtyards.
Modern Lindos
After Italian rule (1912–1943), Rhodes united with Greece in 1948. Italian archaeologists excavated the acropolis in the early 1900s. Today Lindos is a protected traditional settlement with whitewashed houses, no cars in the old village and a world-famous acropolis.
Plan your visit with our guide to the best time to visit the Acropolis of Lindos.