Kastro Monolithou, Castle ruin in Rhodes, Greece

Kastro Monolithou is a ruined castle set on a rock about 760 feet (236 meters) high, near the small village of Monolithos in southwestern Rhodes, Greece. Most of the outer walls have collapsed over time, leaving scattered stone sections around a small open interior where a restored chapel and old cisterns can still be seen.

The castle was built in 1476 by the Knights of Saint John, replacing an earlier Byzantine fortification and an ancient watchtower that had stood on the same rock. A document from 1479 records that villagers from nearby Apolakkia were ordered to take shelter inside the castle if an attack came from the sea.

Inside the ruins stands a restored, whitewashed chapel dedicated to Saint Panteleimon, open to visitors. Beside it are the remains of a second, smaller chapel and old cisterns that collected rainwater for those sheltering on the rock. The castle's name comes from the Greek for "single rock", monolithos, after the crag it crowns.

To reach the castle, visitors must walk up a narrow trail with many steps cut into the rock, surrounded by trees and low shrubs. Sturdy footwear is a good idea since the path is uneven and some sections can be slippery.

On clear days, the neighboring islands of Halki and Alimia are visible from the top, which gives a real sense of why this rock was chosen as a lookout point. Visiting early in the morning often means having the whole site to yourself.