Rodini Park, 2 km from Rhodes Old Town, is on the summit of the Acropolis, and lies next to its ancient ruins. The oldest landscaped park in the world, it was a favorite of the Romans, who built an aqueduct there which can still be seen. It is a cool, high place of cypress and pines, of paths and streams, waterfalls, bridges and pavilions, with a variety of wildlife including deer, turtles, peacocks, ducks and other birds. There is a small zoo for children to enjoy. It has plane trees, oleanders, and artesian springs.
The park had its beginnings about the same time Rhodes Town was built, in the 4th century, BC. There is an ancient necropolis, with tombs carved into the rock thought to belong to the family of Ptolemy I (367-283 BC), one of Alexander's generals.
Tradition says that around 330 BC a school of rhetoric was founded there by Aeschines which was visited by Julius Caesar and Cicero. The architecture of the park is Hellenistic. There is an old water tower that used to supply the need of Rhodes Old town until the Turkish occupation (1522).
There are playgrounds and benches, contributing to the relaxing atmosphere.
