Up on the hill of Filerimos in Rhodes island
Situated pretty close to the town of Rhodes, but still worth the visit while you are there and if you want to witness a far more profound level of the beauty and history of the island.
Cosmopolitan Rhodes counting endless beaches and hundreds of points of reference, is a lot more than a summer destination. Read on to find out why it is worth while adding it in our Autumn agenda too.
The hill of Filerimos, located at the northeastern side of the island and at 247 meters above the Dodecanese land, constitutes one of the most beautiful sites of the island attracting a great number of visitors.
The hill was primarily inhabited by the Minoans at around 1500 BC and then by the Mycenaeans who turned it into a fortress in the 14th century. From then onwards it is considered to be a point of reference on the island.
It is not just history that the hill of Filerimos has to give us. But mythology too. The hill became home to the previously homeless Forvados known to have rescued the people of Rhodes from snakes. But also, this is where a Princess gave end to her life when she realised that she will never have the man she was in love with.
The massive cross that we see on top of Filerimos hill, was constructed by Greeks in 1996 to replace another cross that was there already and was built by Italians. The present cross has a height of 18 meters, whereas the previous one was 30 meters high.
Apart from the cross, do not omit visiting the monastery that was built upon the ruins of a Byzantine church by Knights in the 14th century. Before the monastery, even the Byzantine church was newly added upon the foundations of the Temple of Ialisia Athena parts of which are still visible, making a walk in the surroundings a highly recommended one.
Continue your walk towards the Doriki Krini which was built in Filerimos 3.000 years ago and then to the ruins of the ancient citadel of the region, which Ialisians used when at war with various invaders.
To conclude your visit, continue by taking one of the many paths of Filerimos, preferably one which is in good condition, like for example the path which leads to the small church of St. Elias. Other paths are for more advanced walkers. If you are fit enough walk through as many of the paths as you can. Their end point will not disappoint you...
