The ruins of an important sanctuary dedicated to Apollo Erethimios are located in the village of Theologos on the Greek island of Rhodes. The site is halfway between the sites of the ancient cities of Ialysos and Kamiros on the northwest coast of the island–about 10 kilometers from each city–and the sanctuary is believed to have been within the territory of Ialysos. There are traces of human usage of the site going back to the prehistoric period, and during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the site is known to have been one of the three main countryside sanctuaries on the island, along with those dedicated to Athena and Zeus at Lindos and Mt. Attaviros, respectively.
The main building in the sanctuary compound was a Doric temple built in the Classical period around 400 BCE out of sandstone but adorned with marble decorative fittings. The foundations of it can be found in the smaller of the two gated areas, which is on the south side of the road which runs through the site.
The ruins of other buildings which were part of the sanctuary can be found in a separate gated area on the north side of the road. These are mostly from the Hellenistic period. The longest structures were the porticoes which ran in an L-shape across most of the site. There are also foundations of other Hellenistic structures as well.
There was a theater at the western end of the site. It is now covered with earth, grass, and even some trees, but the form of it is visible.
Archaeologists also identified early Christian structures in the eastern part of the site, including a building, cemetery, baptismal font, and mosaic floors.
In addition to a later history in the Christian era, the site had an earlier history. Below the ruins of the temple, archaeologists found burials dating to a few centuries before the construction of the temple. And pottery sherds from a much earlier period (4000-2000 BCE) have been found at the site as well.
Some of the marble elements of the temple are now on display at the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes.
Tips for the Visitor
From the bus terminal in the main city of Rhodes, there are multiple bus routes which pass through Theologos every day, such as the one bound for the village of Kalavarda, near Kamiros.
The site has information placards but is not staffed. However, the gates to both halves of the site appear to be opened daily for visitors, although the opening hours are not clear.
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