On the north-western shore of Rhodes, lie the haunting remains of Ancient Kamiros, a must for any archaeology or history lover. This quiet, remarkable site, 32 kms from the city of Rhodes, on the foothills of Mount Akramytis, tells a tale of a rich and advanced civilization.
Kamiros was one of the three large Doric cities which united with Ialysos and Lindos in the 5th century B.C. to create the powerful city – state of Rhodes. It is often compared to Pompeii although it was not buried by a volcanic eruption but rather simply abandoned and forgotten, its inhabitants leaving their hillside homes for the more luxurious new city centre.
In prehistoric times the Mylantian gods, who taught mankind milling and kneading, were worshipped here; a Mycenaean necropolis was excavated at Kalavarda, west of Kamiros. Findings from the Geometric period (8th century BC) testify the existence of a temple dedicated to Athena on the Acropolis. It is known that the earthquake of 226 BC destroyed the Classical city and probably the Classical temple of Athena Kameiras.
Kamiros’ wealth was based on agriculture, oil, wine and figs. It was the first Rhodian city to cut its own coins, around 6th BC.