Acropolis of Rhodes (Monte Smith)

The Acropolis of Rhodes sits on Monte Smith hill, about 3 kilometres west of the Old Town in Rhodes Town, in the South Aegean region of Greece. The hill takes its name from the British admiral Sir Sidney Smith, who observed the French fleet from the summit during the Napoleonic wars. In the Hellenistic period it was the religious and civic heart of the ancient city of Rhodes, built after the city was founded in 408 BC. Today the open-air site contains a partly restored Doric Temple of Pythian Apollo, with a few re-erected columns, as well as a Hellenistic stadium and a small theatre that has been reconstructed from ancient remains. Visitors wander between these monuments on paths shaded only by a few pines, taking in the shapes of the stadium track and the stone seating. The setting is the main attraction for many travellers, since the summit gives wide views across Rhodes Town, the Aegean Sea and, on clear days, toward the Turkish coast. There are no large museums or exhibits, so most visits last one to one and a half hours, including walking around the stadium and theatre. Sunset is the best time, when the light warms the columns and the city lights begin to appear, and it is also the busiest, though crowds remain modest compared with the Old Town. Midday in summer is hot and exposed, so morning or late afternoon is more comfortable. Admission is free and the site is open during daylight hours, though visitors should check odysseus.culture.gov.gr for changes. Access is by taxi, which costs about 8 EUR from the Old Town, by bus, or on foot in about 40 minutes. Information boards give basic explanations in Greek and English.