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Monastery · Rodes, Egeu Meridional
Filerimos e Ialysos antiga
A 267-metre hill 15 km from the city, with the Gothic monastery of Panagia Filerimou, ruins of the Athena temple of ancient Ialysos, a cypress-lined via-sacra up to a large cross, and free-roaming peacocks.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Filerimos e Ialysos antiga
Filerimos is the hill rising above Ialyssos, about 15 km from the city of Rodes, on the west coast. At the top, 267 metres up, stood the acropolis of ancient Ialysos, one of the three cities that founded Rodes; what remains are the foundations of the temple of Athena Polias, from the 3rd or 2nd century BC, and a Doric fountain from the 4th century BC, which is not open to visit inside.
The name comes from a monk who arrived from Jerusalem with an icon of the Virgin attributed to St. Luke and settled there as a hermit. The Knights of São João built a monastery and a Gothic church on the acropolis to house the icon, which was the order's most sacred relic; the icon left the island with the knights in 1522. The complex was restored by the Italians in the 20th century, with a cloister, bell tower and chapels, and there are Catholic monks today. Beside it are the floor mosaics of a 5th-century paleochristian basilica, a baptismal font shaped like a cross and the small rock-cut church of São Jorge (Agios Georgios Chostos), with 15th-century frescoes.
A cypress avenue, called the Via-Sacra or Golgotha, runs from the monastery square with the Stations of the Passion in relief and ends at a cement cross about 17 metres high, with an internal staircase up to the arms. From there the view reaches the west coast, the airport and Mount Atavyros, the highest on the island. Peacocks wander freely across the grounds.
Entrance to the archaeological site and the monastery is paid and timed; the via-sacra and the cross are open.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About one to one and a half hours.
Best time
Late afternoon light is better for the view of the west coast, and the cypress avenue provides shade. Early in the morning the site is empty. In July and August the heat at the top is intense outside the trees' shade.
How to get there
By car, 15 km from the city via the west-coast road to Ialyssos and then the road up the hill; parking at the top. Regional bus to Ialyssos, then taxi or a roughly 4 km walk uphill. Tours include Filerimos on the west-coast itinerary.
Tip
Climb the cross via the internal staircase for the full view. Look for the small, tucked-away rock church of São Jorge next to the monastery. The peacocks come close; do not feed them. Combine with the Valley of the Butterflies and Kamiros on the same day if driving.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Filerimos e Ialysos antiga
What can you see at Filerimos?
The Gothic monastery of Panagia Filerimou, restored by the Italians; the foundations of the temple of Athena of ancient Ialysos; mosaics from a 5th‑century basilica; the rock church of São Jorge; and the cypress Way of the Cross that ends at the large cross.
Is the icon of the Virgin of Filerimos there?
No. The knights took the icon when they left Rodes in 1522. Today it is in Montenegro, and the monastery keeps a copy.
Can you climb the cross?
Yes. The cross has an internal ladder up to arm level, from where you can see the west coast and the airport. It is open and does not depend on the monastery entrance fee.
How to get to Filerimos without a car?
Regional bus to Ialyssos and then taxi, or on foot with an ascent of about 4 km. West coast tours usually include the hill.