At a distance of 73km from the city of Rhodes, on the
slopes of Akramitis, lies the picturesque village of Monolithos, with its
amphitheatrically built stone houses. The village owes its name to the rock, on
top of which the Venetian castle of the village was built. The castle of this
historic hamlet remained impregnable during difficult times, and its
inhabitants were also noted for their stiff resistance and bravery in the national
struggles for freedom (1919, 1940-1945).
Today it is a peaceful, registered “place of
positive energy”, pleasant to all kinds of visitors, as it combines the
beauty of the natural landscape, history and gastronomy. In recent years,
alternative activities such as mountain biking, hiking and stargazing have also
been organized and offered to anyone interested. Nature lovers can enjoy,
organized or not, a hike in nature exploring it and discovering rare species of
orchids; history buffs can climb the 100 steps of the castle to travel back to the
times of the Knights; experts in matters of taste and those who believe
gastronomy is an integral part of a place have the opportunity to enjoy local
delicacies at some local tavern; finally, for those who love the sun and the
sea: the only thing they need to do is to head straight for “Fourni” [small oven], a pebbly beach with crystal
clear waters, ideal for those who do not love crowded places. If you wish to
explore the south of the island, you can stay in one of the few small dwellings
in the village.
