THE RADIANT RHODIAN SPIRIT

Explore the enchanting island of Rhodes with Sonia Nazareth, where centuries of history, myth, and Mediterranean beauty converge

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THE EMERALD ISLES WITHIN THE Aegean Sea in Greece are renowned for their ravishing natural beauty. Among them, Rhodes, the largest island of the Dodecanese chain, nicknamed the “Island of the Sun” after its patron—the Sun God Helios—boasts a pleasant 300 days of summer and an alluring array of golden-sand beaches. The salubrious climate and natural beauty have long made Rhodes the dream destination for sun-seekers from cooler European climes. What entices me to visit, however, is that the island's beauty goes beyond the surface, with a rich depth that captivates the soul. Centuries of mythology and history make this island of Helios and Apollo, of Olympic champions and philosophers, of the Colossus and the Knights, with a wide range of sporting activities—from diving to hiking—an irresistible draw.

SUN, SEA & HISTORY

My expedition in Rhodes begins at the city's UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town. It is, without exaggeration, one of the world's finest and largest examples of medieval fortifications, in terms of atmosphere, architecture, and style. The town, enclosed within a massive fort, is an admirable place in which to lose and find oneself. I begin my exploration on the cobblestoned Avenue of the Knights, where the Knights of St. John—a religious order of the Church of Rome—primarily fortified the area in the 14th century.

The 600-metre-long Avenue of the Knights is lined with honey-coloured stone buildings or inns where the Knights—soldiers, chaplains, and ministers to the sick—lived. They resided according to their “tongues” or languages, corresponding to their countries of origin. Each façade of these medieval buildings, although harmonious, has individual embellishments that make them stand out as unique.