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Landmarks of Rhodes. What to see? - Castle Monolithos. Mussolini's cottage.
Landmarks of Rhodes. What to see? - Castle Monolithos. Mussolini's cottage.
Monolithos Castle, Rhodes, Greece
We continue our journey through the beautiful Greek island of Rhodes. In our previous articles, we have already considered such sights of Rhodes as the Old Town , Prasonisi , Lindos and St. Paul's Bay , as well as the Valley of the Seven Springs and the Church of St. Nicholas .
We move on.
On the southwestern coast of the island of Rhodes, 73 km from the city of Rhodes and 30 km from Prasonisi, there is a cozy little town of Monolithos with narrow streets and white stone houses. The main attraction of this area is the medieval Venetian castle, located on the top of a mountain about 250m high. The castle is also called Monolithos (Monolithos). A rocky winding path with steps leads to the castle.
We move on.
On the southwestern coast of the island of Rhodes, 73 km from the city of Rhodes and 30 km from Prasonisi, there is a cozy little town of Monolithos with narrow streets and white stone houses. The main attraction of this area is the medieval Venetian castle, located on the top of a mountain about 250m high. The castle is also called Monolithos (Monolithos). A rocky winding path with steps leads to the castle.
Climbing to Monolithos Castle, Rhodes, Greece
There is a car park downstairs where you can park your car.
The castle was built by the Knights of St. John to protect the island from foreign invaders back in 1476. Restorations in the castle were not carried out. Everything that is, all the surviving fragments of the building are completely authentic!
The castle was built by the Knights of St. John to protect the island from foreign invaders back in 1476. Restorations in the castle were not carried out. Everything that is, all the surviving fragments of the building are completely authentic!
Monolithos Castle, Rhodes, Greece
Even though for the most part these are the ruins of the walls with the chapel, it is still worth spending a little of your time and effort to climb. It offers stunning views of the sea and the surrounding countryside.
View from the site of Monolithos Castle, Rhodes, Greece
On the hill near the castle there is a functioning church of St. Panteleimon.
Church of St. Panteleimon, Rhodes, Greece
Climbing up the Aegean coast and going a little deeper into the middle of the island, we find ourselves in a mountainous area full of lush greenery, coniferous forests and mesmerizing views. There, high in the mountains, in a protected area, is the summer residence of the Italian dictator Mussolini . Although opinions differ - some say that this is the dictator's dacha, others argue that he has never been here, and the house belonged to another Italian, the then governor of Rhodes, General De Vecce. This one, however, is also said to have been an adherent of the German fascist ideology. The building is abandoned, a bit dilapidated, but even now it is clear that initially it was a beautiful building. Both outside and inside.
Mussolini's dacha, Rhodes, Greece
And what is important - the place is chosen very well. There is excellent air, beautiful nature and a magnificent view of the sea!
Next to the cottage is a Catholic church. Also abandoned.
Church near Mussolini's dacha, Rhodes, Greece
To numerous questions from the locals, “Would you like to restore the building and use it to good use?” the residents answer that they cannot restore it, since no one will give permission at the state level to restore the house of the fascist dictator. Also, none of the businessmen wants to invest in this, again for moral reasons.
In any case, no one wants to use the building. But while it is open to tourists and you can freely visit it.
For reference - across the road from Mussolini's dacha is a small cozy hotel "Elafos" in the style of an Austrian chalet.
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