History of Filerimos - Settlement and historical monuments

The settlement of Filerimos Hill goes back very far in time, to the Mycenaean period around 1500 BC. It was during this period that the settlement of the area where the town of Ialyssos (Trianta) is located today began. These were probably several small settlements that shared a common administration and an acropolis on the adjacent hill of Filerimos. About 500 years later, the Dorians occupied the site and built the foundations of the present city of Ialyssos.

Among the oldest monuments on the acropolis are the remains of the beautiful Hellenistic temple of Zeus and Athena, dating from the 3rd to 2nd century BC. Archaeologists have also uncovered the burial site of the Doric city of Ialyssos, which was located in the landscape between the city and Mount Filerimos. Findings from the Ancient Greek period show that the area of Ialyssos and Mount Filerimos was one of the important and prosperous centres of Rhodes at this time.

During the period of Ancient Greece, there were three main centres of trade and culture on Rhodes, namely the city states of Ialyssos (Trianta), Kamiros and Lindos. In 408 BC, these three 'founding' city states came to an agreement and created a new capital, the city of Rhodes. After the establishment of the new capital city of Rhodes, the importance of Ialyssos began to decline as many of its inhabitants moved to Rhodes. However, the Acropolis of Filerimos remained an important place, mainly due to its military-strategic location.

As Christianity spread on Rhodes, many ancient shrines were converted into churches. Thus, at that time, the temple of Zeus and Palas Athena was converted into an early Christian basilica. The ancient Christian triple-aisled basilica was built in the 5th century and for its construction the builders used many fragments from the beautiful ancient temple, including pieces of masonry and marble. The basilica was made up of three semicircles (the so-called three-aisle basilica) and the three naves of the church were connected by arcades. A baptismal font in the shape of a cross has survived.

The hill was formerly called "Achaia", but it only acquired the name "Filerimos" during the Middle Ages. During the Byzantine period, the north aisle of the basilica was repaired and converted into a "naveless" church. During the Byzantine era, the acropolis of Filerimos was used as a summer residence of the elite (Filerimos Castle), but later it turned more into a military-strategic object. Its location on a high hill allowed a clear view of the sea and its importance was soon realised by the Knights of St. John who came to the island. The Knights of St. John built a new monastery of the Virgin Mary (Panagia) on the site of an older Byzantine monastery, which was elaborated in the Gothic style.

In the church was placed an icon of the Virgin Filerimos, whose authorship is attributed to the Evangelist St. Luke and which was brought to Rhodes during the 13th century, probably from Jerusalem. The icon remained on Rhodes until 1523, for when the island fell into the hands of the Ottoman Turks, the icon of the Virgin Mary was taken by the Knights of St. John to France and on to Italy (and then on to Malta and Russia, where it remained until the Revolution of 1917). Since 2002, the icon has been housed in the Blue Chapel of the National Museum in Montenegro. The Convent of the Virgin Mary was badly damaged during the Ottoman occupation.

In the archaeological complex of Filerimos, a complex intended for a military garrison used and repaired by the Knights of the Order of Johannites has also been preserved from that time, and the remains of the massive Byzantine fortifications are in good condition around the perimeter of the acropolis.

Excavations in 1876 also uncovered important historical monuments in the form of Mycenaean pottery, foundations of buildings from the Doric period and the Hellenistic temple of Zeus and Athena Palas. During the Italian occupation in the 1920s, in an attempt to justify and consolidate the Italian presence on Rhodes, the Italians carried out a series of reconstructions and repairs to important historical monuments throughout the island. The beautiful Church of Our Lady on Mount Filerimos has been repaired, including the relocation of several Capuchin monks, to whom the complex owes its beautiful corridors and walkways. The Italians also built a road ("Via Crucis") that leads from the monastery towards the south-western edge of the plateau, where a huge iron cross stood at the time. However, this cross was later destroyed during the Second World War because it was used by Allied warplanes as a landmark for airfield interventions. Today, a gigantic 18-metre high concrete cross stands in its place and serves as a lookout tower.

Today, the Convent of Our Lady of Filerimos remains almost unchanged and, together with the "Via Crucis" road, which is lined with cypress trees all along its length, is a popular place for wedding ceremonies and wedding photographs. Along one side of the path to the cross there are also engravings representing the Passion of Christ (the path is also called "Golgotha", or "Martyr's Way", in addition to "Via Crucis").

What the archaeological site of Filerimos has to offer - tourist information

The archaeological site of Filerimos is an important archaeological site on the island of Rhodes and the dominant feature is the monastery of Our Lady of Filerimos, which has undergone several changes and alterations during its long history. However, near the Monastery of Our Lady of Filerimos there are the remains of many other buildings - the ancient temple of Zeus and Athena Palace with its preserved columns, the ruins of an old Byzantine monastery or the "underground" church of St. George, which dates back to the 14th century. Along the perimeter of the acropolis, the remains of the massive Byzantine fortifications have also been preserved in good condition.

The archaeological site of Filerimos is located about 15 km from the capital of Rhodes, near the seaside resorts of Ialyssos (Trianta) and Kremasti. From these two resorts, the archaeological site can also be reached on foot, with the last 4 km of the path leading up the serpentine path. However, the path winds through very nice countryside and is surrounded by mature cypress and pine trees, making it a pleasant walk and one of the most popular hikes in this part of the island. You can also go up by car.

Mount Filerimos is 267 metres high and offers a truly beautiful view of the coastal area below and the Aegean Sea with its turquoise waters close to the shore and the deep blue in the distance, where it stretches to the coast of Asia Minor. For an even better view, you can climb the cross-shaped lookout tower from where you can see as far as Lindos on the eastern side of Rhodes in clear weather.

More touristic destinations of Rhodes

Most favourite sights of Rhodes: Acropolis of Lindos, Acropolis of Rhodes, Monolithos Castle, Tsambika Monastery, Kolossos of Rhodes, Palace of the Grand Masters - Rhodes Town

Resorts, beaches, sights or trips - clearly listed on the map of Rhodes.