The ancient city of Kamiros is located in the northwest of the island of Rhodes. The distance to Rhodes City is about 35 kilometers. The ancient city of Kamiros is well preserved and is built on three levels with on the top of the hill of the Acropolis, a large water storage and a temple dedicated to Athena. In the middle section were the houses where the people lived. These date from the Hellenistic and Roman period. At the bottom of the city you find the Agora (gathering center / big square), a sanctuary and a water source. The city was provided with a sewerage system. At this level alsoa second temple was unearthed which dates back to the Dorian period (3rd century BC).

The first excavations of the city of Kamiros took place between 1852 and 1864 by French and Italian archeologists. During this time the Acropolis and the surrounding area were exposed. From 1928 until the end of World War II systematic excavations took place and repair work was carried out by Italian archaeologists.

Ancient Kamiros was built by the Dorians, but the place was already inhabited by the Mycenaeans. Not far from Kamiros a Mycenaean cemetery was found. In the 8th century BCthe construction of the first temple began. Two earthquakes (in 226 and 142 BC) destroyed large parts of the city. In the course of time became Kamiros was abandonned and people moved towards Rhodes Town, which was established in the year 408 BC. Kamiros remained inhabited until around 550 AD.

Of the major cities on the island (Lindos, Ialyssos and Kamiros) Kamiros was the smallest. The city had a more agrarian character, and wine, olive oil, figs and other agricultural products were produced. This in contrast to for instance Lindos which was more of a port city. The many objects that were excavated have disappeared to Museums in England (British Museum), France (the Louvre) and Italy. The Greeks hope that these objects will one day be returned to their country. Only a small number of objects excavated in Kamiros can be seen in the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes Town.

In ancient times the city was already deprived of his artworks when the Roman Cassius conquered the city after Kamiros had chosen sides with Mark Antony in the power struggle between him and Augustus. Some 3,000 artworks were seized. Some of them are now found in the Vatican.