hree km from Paradeisi you turn to left and 6 km. later you reach the renowned Valley of the Butterflies, one of the most unusual biotopes in Europe. Its is luxuriant ravine with abutant running water that attracts thousands of tourists each summer.

German entomologist, Rheinhart Eiger, visited the island some years ago and made a study of the butterflies that appear there from July to September. These butterflies belong to the species Callimorpha Qudripunctaria Himalaiensis because they were discovered for first time in the Himalayas. It has been since learned that they also are found in Brazil, Peru, Austalia, California and wherever else the Liquidabar Ortintalis trees are native.

he butterflies live in the valley during the summer, mate and fly away in September leaving their eggs at various points around the island. In April these eggs produce the small larva which are transformed into chrysales in May and achieve their final form at early June. When it turns hot they leave the locale where they were born and reach the valley where they will stay till September. They are attracted by the smell of the resin and the coolness of the surroundings which does not change even during the hottest days of summer.

Down deep at the bottom of the valley is a quaint restaurant built in the Alpine style.

Photos and text taken from "Rhodes - the brilliant island of the sun" (Toubis Editions)

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