Apolakkia: Marble Art, Lake and Protected Bay

Apolakkia offers a cultural landmark in the village and distinctive attractions in the surrounding area: decorated marble capitals, a church whose appearance depends on the lake’s water level, a stone monastery and a protected bay. This mix brings together architecture and landscape, without reducing all the sights to the same type of place.

Marble Capitals with a Story of Their Own

The Church of Agia Marina in Apolakkia has intricately decorated marble capitals that were salvaged from the ruined Basilica of Agia Irini. A capital is the uppermost part of a column, so the decoration adorns an architectural element that also serves a structural function. Here, you can focus on the form and material of a single element rather than viewing the entire church as a whole. The capitals’ origins connect the church with the ruined Basilica of Agia Irini and give this detail its own historical context. For culture-minded travellers, this interplay between marble ornamentation and provenance is a particular reason to notice the smaller elements of religious architecture.

Churches by the Lake and Dam

In the area around the destination is the small Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God (Κοίμηση της Θεοτόκου), by Apolakkia Lake. When the lake is full, it sinks beneath the water; its striking feature is therefore directly linked to the water level. The stone Monastery of Saint George of Vardas (Αϊ Γιώργη του Βάρδα), one of Rhodes’ most significant Byzantine monuments, is also near the Apolakkia Dam. The two religious sites offer contrasting points of interest: the water level shapes the small church’s appearance, while the monastery is defined by its stone construction and Byzantine significance. If you’re travelling with children, the contrast can be explored through two specific questions: What happens to the small church when the lake is full, and how is the monastery described?

A Protected Bay as a Natural Attraction

Another perspective comes from the 20-kilometre-long Bay of Apolakkia in the surrounding area. Its beach is of outstanding natural beauty; at the same time, the bay is a habitat for the Caretta caretta sea turtle and is part of the Natura 2000 protected areas. Unlike the religious sites, the focus here is on an extensive coastal landscape, a specific wildlife habitat and protected-area status. For travellers who want to include nature in their plans, it is the turtles and the bay’s Natura 2000 designation that give it its distinctive character.

Weighing Culture and Nature When Choosing Where to Stay

A practical distinction can help you choose where to stay: is the church in Apolakkia your main cultural attraction, or are the lake, monastery and nearby bay more important to you? When looking for a holiday apartment in Apolakkia, you can consider whether this combination of religious architecture, waterside scenery and protected nature suits your travel plans. Those most interested in architecture will find different points of connection in the marble capitals and the Byzantine monastery; if you’re drawn to nature, the lake and bay will take centre stage.

Discover more destinations: Plimmiri, Afántou, Haraki, Fanes, Kalathos, Kattavia, Halki, Trianda

For the full travel guide: Rhodes.