Temple of Pythian Apollo, Rhodes

Located on the western part of the ancient Acropolis of Rhodes, this temple, though smaller than the one dedicated to Athena Polias and Zeus Polieus, shares a similar east-west orientation and stands near a large rectangular terrace. Constructed in the 2nd century BC in the Doric style, it was part of an enclosed precinct and served as a landmark for ships sailing to Rhodes. Even today, the re-erected columns are visible from the harbor, continuing to mark the landscape.

Pythia, the renowned priestess of Apollo, played an important role in ancient Greek society due to her oracles and divination skills. She was consulted before all major decisions, guiding the ancients on matters ranging from personal choices to significant political and military strategies. Her presence and function at the temple highlight its significant standing in both religious and civic life.

The site saw extensive archaeological activity during the Italian occupation of the island from 1912 to 1945, with the temple itself being reconstructed in the late 1930s. Unfortunately, it sustained severe damage from bombings during the Second World War, and from 1946 onward, the Greek Archaeological Service took on the challenging task of preserving what remained.