welcome to Tsambika in Rhodes island – GREECE
Tsambika (or Tsampika) is one of the most beautiful beaches on Rhodes.
A long, broad beach with fine, golden sand and dozens of colourful little flags marking out the various eating establishments and beach sports centre. Apart from these, and a mini-market next to the bus stop, there is absolutely nothing else here – nothing except crowds of people of all ages and nationalities, who come to swim in the emerald crystal-clear water and admire the imposing rock with the Monastery of the Virgin of Tsambika (or Tsampika), from which the beach has taken its name. The virgin of Tsampika is said to work miracles and young woman having diffi culty in conceiving often pray for her aid. If their prayers are answered, they name the child after the Virgin.
The road to Tsambika monastery turns off the main road. some meters before the road to the beach. The road leads half of the way up on the hill. A tiny, Byzantine church, dedicated to Our Lady. It’s perched high at 300 m with commanding coastal views, both north over Kolymbia and south over Tsambika beach until Lindos, which makes it worth, to climb up. The legend is, that any woman, who has problems, having children should go up there (barefoot), to pray to the Virgin, she will be blessed with children. Here on Rhodes the success of this visit means the child must be called Tsambiko, if it’s a boy, and Tsampika if it’s a girl. This name is unique on Rhodes. If you doubt this habit, just call this name out on a busy street, and you will see how successful the monastery is. The saints day is the 7. September
