Temple of Athena Polias and Zeus Polieus, Rhodes
The Temple of Athena Polias and Zeus Polieus, located at the northern edge of the Acropolis, was more than just a place of worship; it also doubled as a key place for storing important treaties and documents during the Hellenistic period of Rhodes.
Surrounded by columns on all sides, this temple was quite the sight back in the day. Even the remains we see today are impressive and give us a hint of its past glory. You can still see parts of its structure, like the column drums—some are as big as 1.20 meters in diameter and others are a bit smaller at 1 meter across.
From inscriptions found on-site, we know that people came here to worship both Athena and Zeus, with several statues of Athena also discovered here. Researchers think this temple was built before the nearby Stoa Building, around the 4th century B.C. Later on, in the 5th and 6th centuries A.D., a Christian church was raised right over the original temple, and in medieval times, they even added a monastery.
Surrounded by columns on all sides, this temple was quite the sight back in the day. Even the remains we see today are impressive and give us a hint of its past glory. You can still see parts of its structure, like the column drums—some are as big as 1.20 meters in diameter and others are a bit smaller at 1 meter across.
From inscriptions found on-site, we know that people came here to worship both Athena and Zeus, with several statues of Athena also discovered here. Researchers think this temple was built before the nearby Stoa Building, around the 4th century B.C. Later on, in the 5th and 6th centuries A.D., a Christian church was raised right over the original temple, and in medieval times, they even added a monastery.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Rhodes. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Temple of Athena Polias and Zeus Polieus on Map
Sight Name: Temple of Athena Polias and Zeus Polieus
Sight Location: Rhodes, Greece (See walking tours in Rhodes)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Rhodes, Greece (See walking tours in Rhodes)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Rhodes, Greece
Create Your Own Walk in Rhodes
Creating your own self-guided walk in Rhodes is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Rhodes Introduction Walking Tour
The city of Rhodes, capital of the eponymous island, has been famous since antiquity as the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Colossus of Rhodes. The enormous statue once stood over the harbor entrance and was destroyed by a powerful earthquake in 226 BC.
The name Rhodes comes from the ancient Greek word “rhódon” (rose), hence the island is sometimes referred to as the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
The name Rhodes comes from the ancient Greek word “rhódon” (rose), hence the island is sometimes referred to as the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Medieval Town Walking Tour
The medieval town of Rhodes, where every street, square, or building evokes a story about ancient times, is a living museum in its own right. Being one of the best-preserved medieval walled towns in Europe, this enchanting area boasts several remarkable locations and is quite deservedly declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Welcoming you at its entrance is the Liberty (or Eleftherias) Gate.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Welcoming you at its entrance is the Liberty (or Eleftherias) Gate.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Mandraki Harbor Tour
Mandraki, one of the three harbors of Rhodes, is by far the most famous of them. For centuries, this “front door” of the island has welcomed visitors to Rhodes from far and away. In large part (and quite literally so), the reason for its popularity was the enormous statue of Colossus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, that used to crown the harbor's entrance, adding a sense... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Acropolis of Rhodes
The Acropolis of Rhodes on Monte Smith is an ancient archaeological site. The excavations and restoration works here began under the Italian administration of the island (from 1912 to 1945) and continue to this day. This historic location is home to several significant structures dating back to the Hellenistic period (3rd to 2nd century BC) offering a glimpse into the history and culture of the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Gates and Walls Tour
Owing to its geographical location, as a gateway to the Aegean Sea, Rhodes has always had a vantage position on trade routes between the West and the East – well protected against both foreign invaders and corsairs sailing the Mediterranean waters. The early defense system of Rhodes dates back as far as the 4th century BC.
Starting the Middle Ages – the year 1309, when the Knights... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Starting the Middle Ages – the year 1309, when the Knights... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles