Apollona to the Mountain of the Seven Doors

Apollona to the Mountain of the Seven Doors (Epta Porta)

Circular walk from Apollona village to the summit of the Mountain of the Seven Doors

High above Apollona, an illuminated cross shines over the village each evening. This stands aloft the Mountain of the Seven Doors, where sweeping island panoramas meet the ruins of the Basilica of the Seven Doors. Here, history, legend, and the soul of Rhodes converge in a walk that lingers long in memory.

Apollona to the Mountain of the Seven Doors (Epta Porta) - Essential Information

Walk Statistics (calculated from GPX):

• Start location: Apollona 
• Distance:   km (  miles)
• Total Gain:   metre (  ft)
• Total Descent:   metre (  ft)
• Min Height:   metre (  ft)
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• Walk Time:  
• Walk Grade: Moderate
• Terrain: track and road

Maps:

The following maps and services can assist in navigating this route. There are links to printed maps and links to downloadable GPX route data for importing into navigational software and apps.

 

GPX Route File

Route Verification Details

• Date of Walk: 05/10/2025
• Walk Time: 09:00:00 to 15:00:00
• Walkers: Griff, Kat
• Weather Conditions: Warm, blue skies with some cloud

Walk Notes

A Trek to the Summit of the Mountain of the Seven Doors

In the mountain range that culminates in the second tallest peak on the island of Rhodes, Profitis Illias, there is a slightly smaller peak at 626 meters where a large cross is lit up each evening to shine its light down on the village of Apollona. The view of the cross inspired this walk and the discovery of much more.

The route follows both road and dirt tracks, climbing to the summit of the mountain directly above the village of Apollona. The ascent totals 300 meters, with tracks winding from the south side of the mountain to the north side, navigating predominantly through pine forest. A final track then leads to the very summit, where the tree line clears to reveal sweeping views of the island in all its magnificence.

The panorama of the southern view from the cross

On the southern side of the summit stands the cross, six metres tall, illuminated each evening as darkness falls, casting its light down on Apollona. From here, the panorama is breathtaking: the coast and southern hills stretch from east to west, with landmarks such as the Lindos Peninsula, the Gadoura Reservoir, and the mighty Mount Attavyros clearly visible. To the north, a stone platform hosts a fire-watch observation post, behind which are equally impressive views of the north of the island all the way through to Rhodes Town.

The fire-watch look-out point. Volunters take shifts here to keep watch for any sign of fire starting in the surrounding hills. The volunteer on duty during this visit provided us with much information about the Basilica

The Basilica of the Seven Doors (Εφτάπορτη), Apollona

Amid the summit’s scattered stones that clutter the summit, are some loosely arranged into dry stone walls to depict the outline of a chapel, known as the Panagia Eptaporti, or the Holy Basilica of the Seven Doors. The name, Eptaporti, derives from the seven entrances to the building and has since given the mountain a similar corresponding name: The Mountain of the Seven Doors.

Although little remains of the original structure, the foundations are marked by the low dry stone wall which provide a visual guide to the central aisle of the Basilica. Visitors often place icons around the walls and a makeshift altar has been set up within the ruins.

The stone walls that pick out the foundations of the former Basilica

The central aisle of the Basilica

Archaeological investigations in the early 1990s confirmed that this was a 5th–6th century AD Early Christian Basilica that then fell into ruin during the 7th century. Fragments of carved marble, pottery, and architectural elements uncovered during excavations are now displayed in the Apollona Museum, offering a glimpse into the craftsmanship and daily life of the era.

The Basilica’s layout was that of a three-aisled church, divided by rows of columns, with a curved apse at the eastern end where the altar stood and an entrance hall (narthex). Its distinctive T-shaped floor plan originally covered approximately 150 square metres, maybe large enough to accommodate around 100 worshippers. Constructed with stone walls and likely a wooden, tiled roof, it was a significant centre of faith for the surrounding communities.

Local folk had proposed to rebuild the Basilica but the archaeologists denied the request due to the site’s historical importance. This may be the reason that the stone walls are in place, as a means of identifying this as a place of worship for all who come here.

A broad view of the extent of the Basilica

Folklore: How the Basilica was discovered

Local tradition adds a charming human touch to the site’s history. According to village stories, the ruins first gained wider attention when a young boy noticed unusual carved marble stones scattered near the site. He carried some home, but that night a monk purporting to be from the Basilica appeared to him in a dream, asking why he had taken the stones.

The next day, disturbed by his dream, the boy told the local priest, who collected the relics and put them into the safety of the local church. Later excavations at the site revealed the base plate of the Holy Altar and the sockets of its colonnades.

The site must have been known about for a long time prior to the archaeological investigations as early 20th century Italian maps mark the mountains Sette Porte, which translates to Seven Doors. The folklore, which is told on the Museum website must date from some time prior to this, maybe many centuries and handed down through the generations.

The Return Route

The return descends down to the Prophitis Illias road and then continues down to Apollona via the steep road full of hairpin bends back down to the village. Rather than heading straight back, it is worth taking a little excursion out to a small Chapel dedicated to the Commemoration of the Miracle of Archangel Michael at Chonai (Παρεκκλήσι Το εν Χώναις Θαύμα). Set in the woodland on the hillside this most likely to have very old origins, maybe dating back to the medieval period, judging by the flaking wall paintings inside. It is worth detailing the origins of the unusual name that is dedicated to this chapel, the legend that is probably little known out of the Eastern Orthodox world.

Chapel dedicated to the Commemoration of the Miracle of Archangel Michael at Chonai

The Miracle of the Archangel Michael at Chonai

The dedication of this chapel is represented in the icons and wall paintings inside the chapel, depicting the Archangel Michael stemming the waters of a river by plunging a spear into the flow.

This early Christian legend centres on the protective power of Archangel Michael and the city of Chonai in the ancient region of Phrygia. The city was once known as Colossae, renowned after St Paul wrote his letter to the people Colossae, the Colossians, which is recorded in the New Testament of the Bible. Tradition tells of a shrine built near Chonai after Michael appeared to a pious man. A healing spring flowed from the shrine, attracting both Christians and pagans seeking cures for their ailments. In so doing, many of the pagans turned from their idols and were converted to the faith in Christ.

Jealous of the conversions, local pagans attempted to destroy the shrine by diverting two rivers toward it in order to flood the shrine. As the waters surged, Archippus, the monk tending the shrine, prayed for help. Michael appeared, struck the rock with his staff, and split it open, creating a chasm that swallowed the floodwaters and carried them safely away. The shrine was saved, and the miracle became a symbol of Michael’s role as protector.

The icons and the paintings clearly picture this, with Archippus, the monk, watching Archangel Michael striking the ground and the flowing waters disappearing at the point of his strike.

A painting depicting Archangel Michael striking the ground and the flowing waters disappearing at the point of his strike, with the monk Archippus at his side. The artwork suggests this is a very old chapel.

An icon with a modern depiction of the legend.

The Orthodox Church commemorates this event each year on September 6.

Return to Apollona

The track from the chapel emerges onto the road and takes the adventurer back into Apollona where there are plenty of tavernas to choose from for refreshment, all listed in the directions.

Travelogue of the walk

A Walk to the Cross Above Apollona

It began with a light. On our first evening in Apollona, as the October sun slipped behind the hills, a glow appeared high above the village. At first it was just a star like shimmer against the darkening sky, but slowly its shape revealed itself: a cross, illuminated, watching over the rooftops. From that moment, the question was inevitable — how do we reach it?

The next morning, plans were abandoned and a new adventure took shape. We wandered through Apollona’s narrow lanes, past whitewashed houses and gardens heavy with fruit, until the road gave way to pine-scented tracks. The climb was steady, the views unfolding with each turn — valleys stretching wide, ridges rising in the distance, the island revealing itself piece by piece.

The landscape as the road ascends up from the village of Apollona

There were surprises along the way: a cairn balanced improbably on an office chair, a reminder that even the most solemn paths can hold a touch of whimsy. And then, after the track curved and doubled back, the summit appeared. The cross stood tall, commanding the horizon, and the island spread out beneath us in a panorama that seemed endless — Lindos shimmering on the coast, Mount Attavyros rising proud, the distant seas wrapping Rhodes in a silvery blue embrace.

An amusing place where a stone cairn is placed on an office chair half way up the mountain. By the following spring this had gone!

Among the stones lay traces of something older still: the outline of a chapel, the Basilica of the Seven Doors. A volunteer fire-watcher, arriving for his shift, told us its story — of ancient worship, of villagers who longed to rebuild, of archaeologists who preserved its ruins as a link to the past. His words carried the weight of history, but also the resilience of a community determined to protect its land after the fires of 2023.

The view of the cross

The descent brought its own encounters: a convoy of jeeps rattling past, tourists chasing adventure in the hills, and a quiet chapel tucked away on a side track, its fading icons whispering of Archangel Michael and miracles long remembered.

A viewpoint on the way to the Chapel of Archangel Michael. This was a group of tourists who were on a jeep excursion where their Greek guide took them across the island on various tracks. He did seem surprised to see us walking the area.

By the time we returned to Apollona, the village felt different. We had seen it from above, traced its stories in stone and legend, and walked paths that tied past and present together. The cross was no longer just a light in the night sky — it was part of the village’s soul, and now part of ours too.

Since that initial discovery, the trek to the summit of the Mountain of the Seven Doors has become a little pilgrimage each time we return to this glorious village.

References

The following sources were referenced in the construction of this article:

1. Former webpage for eftaporti from the former Amazing Rhodes website. This page details the structure of the Basilica although it states that the 150m2 area could accommodate 600 people which seems far too many. A figure of 100 has been used in the story which seems a more reasonable congregation for that size.
2. Apollona museum webpage for Seven Doors (Gates)
3. Θεοδοσίου, Παλαιοχριστιανικές Βασιλικές της Ρόδου (2019) — a catalogue that explicitly lists Εφτάπορτη (Απόλλωνα) and reproduces a ground-plan. Available as a downloadable PDF on Academia.edu

Directions

1. Take the north lane between the houses, heading up the hill. Ignore all other roads that lead off, continuing roughly straight up.
2. After 350m there is a road sign pointing to Profitis Illias, follow its direction, past a covered spring on the right, then veering around to the left to proceed out into the countryside.
3. Shortly after the road forks with road signs for each direction. Take the right fork, pointing to Profitis Illias.
4. After a further 350 m the road bends around to the left. On the right there is a rough track that leads steeply up the hillside. This is an alternative route up to the track we shall pass along later (go to item 7). Take this if you wish, otherwise follow the road.
5. Follow the road, around the first left bend, then another left bend where the road leads down to a junction. Take the right turn, again following the road sign pointing to Profitis Illias.
6. After another 350 m the road makes a hair pin turn. At the apex of the corner a track leads off on the right, take this.
7. After 100 m the track from item 4 joins this track from the right.
8. The track twists and turns along the mountainside, gaining height as it goes. After 1.4 km another track leads off to the left, take this.
9. The track curves around to the north side of the mountain, with new views from between the trees. After 1.2 km there is a sharp bend where the track almost turns back on itself, then curves clockwise around the summit area for a further 200 m after which there is a track on the left, that ascends to the summit, take this.
10. After 100m the summit presents itself. Straight ahead is the cross, amongst the stones and rocks is the outline of the ancient Chapel of the Seven Doors. Behind is an elevated section where there is the fire-watch area.
11. To return, follow the track from the summit back down to the junction. Take a left turn to follow the main track which starts descending.
12. After 0.6 km the track junctions with the road. This looks like a main highway but is never very busy.
13. After 0.5 km there is a junction on the left, signposted for Apollona. Take this.
14. The road descends steeply through a series of hair pin bends. On the last bend, 1.5 km form the junction, the track we started on, leads off on the left. Continue past this for another 250 m where there is a track that leads off on the right. Take this.
15. After 0.7 km there is a flat area on the left that presents a panorama of the land around Apollona which is worth taking time out to view.
16. After a further 320 m a track leads away on the left, this initially leads down to the Chapel of the Miracle of the Archangel Michael at Chonai.
17. Continue down the track until it meets the main road, 0.5 km from the chapel. Turn left to head into Apollona
18. Take care on the road. There is a further 0.8 km to return to the starting point by following the main road through the village, passing various tavernas on the way, including two as you come into the village, Panarama Tavenra and Yiarenis, both which cater for large groups of tourists, further along is Kefenion (a unique taverna full of historic artefacts and curiosities and a great place for just a snack and a drink), and a little further is the Faliki taverna, a homely family owned taverna. If you continue onwards up the road there also the Ariaki snack bar and off the main street are Alonia and Paraga tavernas.

The walk through the picturesque lanes of Apollona village

The alternative track up to the track around the mountain. This is quite steep but not really too challenging

The start of the track from the first hair pin bend

The broad dirt track that leads around the mountain is easy to navigate

Unknown ruins on the north side of the mountain

Summary of Document Changes

Last Updated: 2025-12-09

2025-12-09T20:04:00 : Initial publication

Related Walk Links

• Walks around Apollona