Nymphaea Cave Sanctuary, Rhodes

At the northern edge of the Acropolis of Rhodes, you'll find the Nymphaea, a fascinating site featuring four caverns carved directly into the earth, linked by interconnecting underground passages. Inside these caves, there are small grottoes where statuettes were once placed, along with water cisterns that connected to ancient underground aqueducts. The green spaces at the entrance served as tranquil areas for reflection and worship during the Hellenistic period.

In ancient Greek religion, nymphs—supernatural female entities associated with water—were highly revered. Although it’s unclear which specific nymph or deity was venerated here, such sites were typically built within natural grottoes and often featured water elements.

Today, the Nymphaea, along with the rest of the Acropolis, is an open-air site open to the public at all times. Exploring these cool caves offers a refreshing respite from the Mediterranean heat and a serene spot to contemplate the ancient lifestyle of Rhodes.