Archangelos: Churches, pottery and landscape

Archangelos can be explored through a variety of themes: its pottery tradition, churches with distinctive architectural and artistic features, and the Ethonas plain each give the place its own character. The nearby area of the Seven Springs adds a landscape with a lake and waterfowl. When planning your trip, you can consider whether local history and religious art, or the landscape as well, should shape your stay.

Churches and architectural history

The Folklore Museum of Archangelos is housed in a traditional home built in the 1860s. This connects the museum with a building from the architectural history of the 19th century. Pottery is also part of Archangelos's tradition and adds another perspective on the local culture. For travelers interested in crafts and architecture as well as landscapes, these aspects offer a distinctive perspective on the destination.

The bell tower of Taxiarchis Church is the tallest building in Archangelos. The church is dedicated to the Archangels Michael and Gabriel; the tower was built in the 19th century. At the church of Agios Ioannis o Prodromos, also known as John the Baptist, religious paintings from the 14th century take center stage. These buildings and works of art have different points of focus: the tower as a landmark building, and the paintings as examples of religious art.

The Church of Archangel Michael in Archangelos is a three-aisled cross basilica. Its distinctive details include a wood-carved iconostasis dating from 1856 to 1859, two oversized icons of Archangel Michael, and the pebble floor in the narthex, dating from 1885. The narthex is a church’s entrance area; the iconostasis is a defining feature of Orthodox churches. These terms help distinguish the different features: the architecture, carved furnishings, icons and flooring each tell a different story about the church interior.

A feast day and its tradition

On the feast of Archangel Michael on November 8, a procession with the icon of the Archangel takes place after the Divine Liturgy. The Metropolitan takes part, and the procession is accompanied by the Philharmonic and the local community. If you are planning a trip specifically around this feast day, it is advisable to check the schedule in advance. November 8 gives your travel plans a specific date to work around.

Plain, lake and castle

The Archangelos plain, known as Ethonas, is one of the most fertile plains on Rhodes. In the area of the Seven Springs, near Archangelos, there is a lake fed by seven springs, where geese, ducks and peacocks can be seen. These are two distinct landscape features: Ethonas is the plain of the village, while the lake is in the area of the Seven Springs. East of the Church of Archangel Michael, Archangelos Castle stands on a hill, along with the 15th-century chapel of Saint George.

These different interests can help guide your choice of a holiday apartment in Archangelos. Consider whether churches, architectural history and pottery tradition should be the main focus, or whether you would also like to include the plain, lake and castle in your travel plans. The places mentioned have different geographical locations: the area of the Seven Springs is near Archangelos, while the castle is east of the Church of Archangel Michael. Choose the specific location of your accommodation to suit the destinations that matter to you.

Discover more destinations: Halki, Kalavarda, Rhodes, Pefki, Lárdos, Monolithos, Koskinou, Haraki.

For the broader travel overview: Rhodes.