Stoa Building, Rhodes

Stoa Building, Rhodes

The Acropolis of Rhodes, located three kilometers from Rhodes Town, was an impressive complex in its day, if its remains are anything to go by. One of the areas within the Acropolis, that is preserved for modern visitors, is the Stoa Building, built towards the end of the third century BC.

Back in classical times, the Stoa Building would have been truly impressive and it was so big that it could clearly be seen in Rhodes’ lower town and harbor. A Stoa was a common building design in Ancient Greece and consisted of two long rows of columns with a roof resting on top and supporting walls at either end.

The Stoa Building at Rhodes has not survived intact, but many columns and the floor plan can still be seen to this day. It is 87 meters long with 42 columns in total and the middle of the supporting wall was cut for a grand staircase to meet it.

Following the original construction, the ancient Rhodians extended the building out and included two large, underground cisterns to collect rainwater from the Stoa roof and propylaea staircase. It is thought that the large building was used for market stalls and to provide a place for public events or shade from the burning sun.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Rhodes. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Stoa Building on Map

Sight Name: Stoa Building
Sight Location: Rhodes, Greece (See walking tours in Rhodes)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Rhodes, Greece

Create Your Own Walk in Rhodes

Create Your Own Walk in Rhodes

Creating your own self-guided walk in Rhodes is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Medieval Town Walking Tour

Medieval Town Walking Tour

The medieval town of Rhodes is a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is like an open air museum, as every street, square or building evokes a story about the city's ancient times. It is one of the best-preserved medieval walled cities in Europe. Take this self-guided walking tour to visit the most notable landmarks in the old town of Rhodes.

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Rhodes Introduction Walking Tour

Rhodes Introduction Walking Tour

The city of Rhodes, capital of the eponymous island, has been famous since antiquity as the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Colossus of Rhodes. The enormous statue once stood over the harbor entrance and was destroyed by a powerful earthquake in 226 BC.

The name Rhodes comes from the ancient Greek word “rhódon” (rose), hence the island is sometimes referred to as the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Acropolis of Rhodes

Acropolis of Rhodes

The Acropolis is located on Monte Smith in the city of Rhodes. Structures at this site date back to the Hellenistic period (3rd to 2nd century BC). The partially renovated structures at the Acropolis include the Temple of Pythian Apollo, the Stadium, the Odeion and the Nymphaia. The excavations and restoration work began during the Italian governance of the island (1912-1945) and continue today....  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Gates and Walls Tour

Gates and Walls Tour

Owing to its geographical location, as a gateway to the Aegean Sea, Rhodes has always had a vantage position on trade routes between the West and the East – well protected against both foreign invaders and corsairs sailing the Mediterranean waters. The early defense system of Rhodes dates back as far as the 4th century BC.

Starting the Middle Ages – the year 1309, when the Knights...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Mandraki Harbor Tour

Mandraki Harbor Tour

Mandraki is one of the three harbors in Rhodes. It is famous, because it is believed that the great statue of Colossus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, once stood at the harbor entrance. Today the deer sculptures at the entrance, the St. Nicholas Fortress and a number of medieval windmills create a charming view of the harbor. Many boat trips to other nearby islands leave from here....  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles