2022: Elephant Rent a Moto Staff Choice of the best places to visit in Rhodes
August 11, 2021
35 km East of Rhodes Town: Things to do and places you can visit
March 2, 20222022: Elephant Rent a Moto Staff Choice of the best places to visit in Rhodes
August 11, 202135 km East of Rhodes Town: Things to do and places you can visit
March 2, 2022Hotel Elafos & Elafina
Hotel Elafos is situated on the edges of Profitis Ilias Mountain, next to the byzantine monastery of Profitis Ilias, 45 kilometers from Rhodes town and 30 kilometers from the airport, at an altitude of 780 meters and almost in the centre of the island, in a green environment with rare vegetation, high pine trees, perennial plane trees and the unique cedar species of “Atlas Cedar”.
The Italians, famous for their aesthetics and the timeless architecture of their buildings, created this lodge in 1929, in order to accommodate Italian army officers. It was named Albergo del Cervo (Deer’s Hotel), after the beautiful, rare and strictly protected deer species of Dama Dama which inhabits in the majestic forest that surrounds the hotel.
The building follows a mixture of masonry and frame of reinforced concrete. The roofing consists of very steep wooden rooftops covered with special corrugated sheets, while the hotel’s exterior is thoroughly decorated with wooden details.
During World War II, it was used as lodge for the Italian officers and later as military German hospital. In 1932, a new independent wing, named Elafina (female deer), was built next to Hotel Elafos, making the complex known as “Elafos-Elafina”. Thence forward it runs as a hotel attracting visitors from all over the world, that wish to admire in close the buildings’ special identity.
Villa Mussolini
The villa is facing the Elafos and Elafina Hotel. Is was constructed in the alpine style that serve as further examples of the plans of the fascist dictator for Rhodes to become an Italian empire’s outpost.
It is quite amazing how the mansion was able to retain its original chapel that is erected a distance away with the stained glass windows surprisingly still intact.The wood-framed French doors that run the length of the main living room’s wall still frame the beautiful scenery, magnificent views of the Turkish coast, and the island of Symi.
Since 1947, it has been empty. When the Dodecanese islands were surrendered to Greece, the walls and fireplaces of this two-story wooden and stone structure have been defaced with graffiti. The painted ceilings are the only thing that is still there. to remind us of the glory of the past.
Some people claim that the villa was permitted to grow dilapidated on purpose to serve as the permanent reminder of the purported cruelty of the Count to the locals and of the failure of Italy to Italianize the Dodecanese.
The Hellenic Republic Assets Development Fund (HRADF) placed the villa on the market back in 2014 and surprisingly, it remains to be on the market to this day.
Apollona Village
Apollona village of Rhodes is located on the southeastern side of the hill of Prophet Elias, only 50km from the capital of the island, the homonymous Rhodes and very close to the highest mountain of the island Attavyros ! In an evergreen area surrounded by wild pines, cypresses and the local olive groves that give unique olive oil every year, Apollona emerges with an area of about 71 square kilometers, an altitude of 330 meters and a total population of 1005 inhabitants. According to the most prevalent interpretation, the name of the village seems to come from the ancient greek god Apollon.
Some beautiful traditional Rhodian buildings in excellent shape still exist in the village and besides the beautiful nature the visitor can see the church of the village, visit the folklore museum, the traditional water mill and various ancient temples. The inhabitants of Apollona mainly deal with agriculture, livestock and beekeeping. There are several local cultural groups in the village, each with its own interests which are contributing substantially to the visibility of the village as well as to the enhancement of the cultural heritage of Apollona with their rich activity.
There are many good family run restaurants in the area that provide high-quality local dishes. These establishments serve traditional Rhodian food that is made with fresh ingredients. The restaurants are also reasonably priced, so you can enjoy a delicious meal without breaking the bank.
Apollona Village smells of Greece and the visitor can choose among the traditional dishes cooked in the wood oven, or some of the finest meats on the island.