Libraries & Cultural Centres

In the centre of the Medieval City, on the ground floor of the 'Castellania', which was used during the period of the Knights as the Chamber of Commerce, the Public Library of Rodos is located.

This is a lending library with 30,000 volumes covering many subjects, especially those related to literature, history and education. These books are well written in Greek, with the exception of a few titles in English. The dictionaries in the library cover many languages.

Next to the museum of Popular Art in Argyrokastrou Square, you will find the Library of the Historical and Archaeological Institute of Rodos, situated in the building which served as the first hospital of the Knights. The Library is not open to the public, but special permission to use it may be given to people carrying out research. The books and magazines here are of particular interest and deal with history, archaeology and art in ancient, mediaeval and more recent times, plus popular art.

The Municipal Library of Rodos is housed in the Rodiaki Epayli (Municipal Cultural Centre).

It contains many Greek magazines and 10.000 volumes covering many topics, together with a considerable number of works in English, French and German.

Visitors may also visit the exhibition hall and the sculpture collection, stopping off to spend a few minutes in the reading room which has a wonderful view of the gardens.

The Municipal Cultural Centre 'Rodiaki Epavli', the former 'Royal Pavilion', is situated in the middle of a beautiful garden in the city centre and houses the Cultural Centre of the Municipality of Rodos, which is active in many fields such as the organisation of workshops for traditional music, photography, art , as well as children's theatre.

The visitor can visit the Lending Library and Reading Room, and view the small collection of Greek sculpture which is exhibited here. Exhibitions are periodically held in the Epavli. Visitors may also enjoy a walk through the quiet green gardens.

At the Cultural Centre of the Catholic Church, right in the centre of the tourist area of the new town, a wide range of cultural activities are organised by the Associations of foreign nationals who live in Rodos. Under the general title of EUROPA CL.UB, founded by Father Peter, the associations listed below organise a variety of events that may be of interest to visitors:

• The Franco-Hellenic Cultural Association (Association Culturelle Franco-Hellenique)
• The English Speaking Community of Rodos
• The Greek-Swedish Association (Svensk-Grekiska F6reningen)
• The Greek-Italian Association of Rodos (Centro Italohellenica di Rodi)
• The Danish Association of Rhodos (Den Danske Forening Pa Rhodos)
• Griechisch-Deutscher Verein FUr Wissen schaft und Bildung

The activities of these associations often take place in the respective languages of the groups. Opening hours vary for each separate event. (5 Ionos Dragoumi Str. Tel. 20254)