It is the fourth largest Greek island –following Crete, Evoia, and Lesvos-, and with its endless coastlines, its mountains full of pine-trees, mountainous villages, archaeological sites and its medieval town of unique beauty, Rhodes attracts over one million tourists every year.
It is the largest island of the Dodecanese complex, extends over a surface of 1,398 km2, its coastline is 220 km and counts 120,000 inhabitants. It was firstly inhabited during prehistoric age and flourished during Mycenae Period.
It became especially prosperous during 4th century B.C, when the famous Colossus of Rhodes was built by Lindios Haris, apprentice of Lysippos. After the disastrous earthquake in 155 A.C, the island met many conquerors (Persians, Arabs, Saracens as well as Seltzouk Turks).
In 1309 the Knights of St. John came in the island, renovating the castle with a unique fortification technique for the European standards of that time.
The island was their seat until 1522, when it was conquered by the Turks after harsh battles. In 1912 the island passed in the command of Italians and in 1948, along with the rest Dodecanese, it was incorporated into the Greek territory.
