Monte Smith

Welcome to Monte Smith, a site of immense historical and aesthetic importance located just three kilometers from the center of Rhodes City. Known to the locals as the Hill of Agios Stefanos, this height was renamed Monte Smith in…

We start at the Ancient Stadium of Rhodes, located on the southeast side of the hill. This impressive structure is 210 meters long—roughly 600 feet—and 35 meters wide. …

Adjacent to the north side of the stadium lies the Odeon, a smaller, semi-circular theater that served a very different purpose. In antiquity, the Odeon was a venue for musical performances, poetic recitals, and most importantly,…

We now move to the highest point of the Acropolis to view the remains of the Temple of Pythian Apollo. This Doric temple, dedicated to the god of light and prophecy, was once the most prominent structure on the hill. …

East of the stadium, we find the remains of the Gymnasium, a vast square building that measured roughly 200 meters on each side. In the Hellenistic world, the gymnasium was not just a place for exercise; it was a cultural center…

A more mysterious aspect of Monte Smith is the presence of the Nymphaia—underground, cave-like sanctuaries located on the northern slopes. These were sacred spaces dedicated to the nymphs, the female spirits of the natural world. …

We conclude our walk at the northernmost tip of the hill, the 'Monte Smith Viewpoint.' This is the point that truly 'takes your breath away'. From here, you can clearly see the distinction between the two seas that meet at…

As we conclude our journey across the heights of Monte Smith, I hope you have gained a deeper understanding of the layers of history that define this remarkable hill. We have traced the footsteps of ancient athletes in the…