The hill was renamed in the 19th century to honor British Admiral Sir Sidney Smith, who monitored the French fleet from its summit.
The Stadium of Diagoras is approximately 200 meters long and was designed for the Halieia festival games.
The Odeon, or small theater nearby, was primarily used for musical performances and rhetoric exercises rather than large-scale theatrical dramas.
The Temple of Apollo was originally constructed in the 2nd century BC and stands on the terrace of the acropolis.
The site provides a direct line of sight to the Marmaris peninsula in Turkey, which is approximately 18 kilometers away.
St Stephen's Hill, locally known as Monte Smith, serves as the highest point overlooking Rhodes Town. The site contains the archaeological remains of the Acropolis of Rhodes, featuring the Temple of Apollo, a restored stadium, and a small theater. The elevated position offers an expansive view over the city, the harbor, and the Aegean Sea toward the Turkish coastline. The hill is named after Admiral Sir Sidney Smith, who used the vantage point as a lookout during the Napoleonic Wars. The stadium, often called the Stadium of Diagoras, was used for athletic competitions and features some original tiered seating. Ruins of the Temple of Apollo were partially reconstructed in the mid-20th century to provide a clearer sense of the original scale. The area is a public archaeological park with no fences separating the various ancient ruins. It remains a key location for understanding the urban layout of the ancient city-state of Rhodes.
The viewpoint overlooking the Temple of Apollo with the sea and the city of Rhodes in the background.
Visit during the shoulder seasons to avoid the intense heat of the Mediterranean summer, as there is very little natural shade.
Wear comfortable, sturdy footwear, as the site features uneven rocky paths and ancient stone steps.
Carry water, as there are no amenities or kiosks located within the archaeological park itself.
Avoid midday visits during the summer months when heat reflection off the white stones makes the area stifling.
Open year-round, as it is an unfenced public archaeological site.
Respect the archaeological remains; do not climb on the unrestored ruins or remove any stones or artifacts.
