Situated on the left of the road heading up to the Acropolis at Lindos, the church of Panagia (Our Lady) is an enchanting sight and an obligatory stop for all visitors. Surrounded by high walls and a small courtyard, this old church was originally built in 1300 but has since been submitted to numerous reconstructions. The most important was ordered by the Grand Master Pierre d’Aubusson (1476 to 1503) of the Knights of Rhodes (Order of St. John) and the most recent is dated in 1927, during the Italian occupation.
Its most prominent external feature is the high-rise, stone built campanile tower, typical of the Rhodian (and Dodecanese) churches. The main building has a cross-shaped plan superimposed by an octagonal dome, whitewashed walls and red byzantine tiles roof.
In the interior the pavement is covered by a superbly executed pebble mosaic (hohlaki), popular in the Rhodian traditional architecture. In the front, there is a richly decorated and spectacularly carved wooden iconostasis² and a Bishop’s throne while large bronze layered candle chandelier are hanging from above. Visitors will be astounded by the quality of the 19th century wall frescoes, depicting biblical scenes. The barrel-vaulted roof and the dome there covered with more impressive frescoes the work of the famous Gregorios of Symi dating back in 1779, depicting icons of Mary, Jesus, and the saints. As the viewers turn to the back of the church and walk out, over the doorway, a huge colorful fresco bursts with the story of The Last Judgment. Pale twisting bodies writhe together in the orange and red flames of hell. A strong message for those who won’t follow the ways of the church.
References:Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.
The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.
Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.