Temple of Aphrodite, Rhodes, Greece

Temple of Aphrodite dates back to the 3rd century BCE, and was built to honor Aphrodite, the mythological Greek goddess of love and beauty. The temple is located in Symi Square, close to the Eleftheria Gate.

The once majestic structure is now a pile of ruins surrounded by a small fence. Although you cannot walk through the temple grounds, you can get close enough to study some of the old building blocks and fallen columns. Look closely and you may be able to make out some inscriptions on a couple of the stone slabs.

Read the information panel and study the site plan to get a feel for the temple’s layout. Descriptions are written in Greek and English. The statue of Aphrodite Pudica in the Archeological Museum of Rhodes is believed to have been the temple statue that would have been venerated here by the ancient Greeks.

The Temple of Aphrodite is a 10-minute walk from the island’s Tourist Harbour. If you are arriving by car or scooter, you will find limited free parking at Symi Square. Additional parking is available on the road that leads to the harbor.

References:

Expedia

User Reviews

Kevin McCabe (9 months ago)
Interesting ruins near the edges of the old town. It is quite literally “ruins.” Mostly just rocks. There are some interesting designs on some of them indicating this was likely beautiful at one point in time. Either way, interesting to think of the generations who have walked on these streets and built with the rocks all around you.

Andrzej Górski (9 months ago)
Temple is worth a visit when walking around the old town of Rhodes.

Raymond Schotsman (12 months ago)
There isnt a whole lot to see at the ruin, wish they would remove the plants growing between the rocks so you'd get a better of it. Not too much info, wouldve liked to see some more info about the Godess herself. They did moved the statue inside the museum.

Josh H (13 months ago)
Cool fragments of the original structure. Impressive auditorium and chariot racing stadia. Only downside is the scaffolding around the temple pillars. You can get a decent view out of the western entrance over the ocean/beach from the hilltop.

Gary Mchugh (Gam) (2 years ago)
Just to know the history of Aphrodite and all that was written about her life and goings on, it seemed amazing to actually be there, see the ruins. Also to be able to of walked close to it, where others in history have once been?? It's only a viewing point, no access onto the ruins. Only to let your imagination run wild?? There are so many ruins within the old town area to view and so close together. I found Rhodes an amazing place to visit due to its historical past! And, many of its old buildings still standing and your able to wander through most of them??

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Infomastern

Historic Site of the week

Visby Cathedral

Visby Cathedral (also known as St. Mary’s Church) is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally built for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350 the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. The two-storey magazine was also added then above the nave as a warehouse for merchants.

Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.

There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.

Temple of Aphrodite

Address

Details

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Visby Cathedral