See reminders of the splendours of ancient Greece when your tour of the Old Town of Rhodes takes you to the Temple of Aphrodite. The shrine dates back to the 3rd century B.C., and was built to honour 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.
You will probably only need about 10 minutes to sightsee the temple, more if you are particularly captivated by the ruins. Once you have finished, visit the other historical attractions in and around the square. Photograph the medieval Tarsanas Gate and observe Eleftheria Gate. This Old Town gate may look like it dates from medieval times, but it was actually built in the first half of the 20th century. The opening connects the Old Town with Mandraki Harbour. Nearby is La Tour Saint Pierre, an imposing medieval tower.
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 harbour.
