Lindos
How can one describe the feeling of being in the village of Lindos, Rhodes? The sight of ruins scattered in and around the village makes one feel like the gods and goddesses of ancient Greece continue to look upon this small patch of land from way up in Mount Olympus. The pristine shores of fine sand and smooth pebbles and the deep dusty green of the forested areas would make one think that nymphs and muses still live among us, hiding away in nature’s reserves. And the sight of old world houses, buildings, streets and arches would make one feel that the likes of Odysseus and Achilles are people who might encounter in the streets.
The village of Lindos found in a municipality of the same name in Rhodes, Greece is a famous tourist destination and a valued national cultural site. Compared to the only city in Rhodes which is also called by the name Rhodes, Lindos may initially seem rather small, quaint and boring. But look again because the village of Lindos is no doubt a wonderful Rhodes villages you might even be tempted to live in because of its beauty, history and culture.
Located 50 kilometers south of Rhodes town, Lindos is found somewhat in the middle of the island at the eastern side of it where it looks out to the Mediterranean Sea. The moment you travel south from the airport or dock into the harbor, don’t expect to find a convertible rental car or a family van because you won’t find any in Lindos. In fact, you won’t find any automobiles at all. Automobiles, with the pollution and traffic that they bring, are not allowed in the village of Lindos.
The only things you can find moving because of an engine in Lindos are some boats along the docks and motorbikes. Aside from taking a scenic walk, the only other means of transportation available in Lindos are bicycles and donkeys. Personally, I prefer walking if I can because that way you also get to talk to locals passing by, you smell the bread being baked in traditional ovens, and you get to see the beautiful details of street arches, doors, building facades and historical landmarks found all over this charming Greek village.
And speaking of facades and buildings, that brings us to another feature of Lindos so loved by both locals and tourists. Lindos is a rather well preserved village, with many buildings, streets, sculptures and ruins as far back as the 15th century still intact. Most of the buildings in Lindos remain just as they were for several centuries, and those living there now can make only but a few minor changes and additions to them so as they still maintain their historical and cultural essence.
And then in and around the village of Lindos can be found ruins, sculptures, antiques, old buildings and even that invisible but perceptible feeling of old glory and history that not a lot of small villages and big cities can boast of.