Rhodes. Old city

Rhodes, like many other Mediterranean islands, has a long and interesting history. People have lived here since ancient times, and in the 5th century BC the first ancient cities appeared here - Ialyssos, Lindos and Kamiros. The best preserved ancient heritage is in Lindos, where the second largest acropolis in all of Greece is located (second only to the Acropolis of Athens), but in other places also remains of the ancient period have been discovered (mainly the foundations of temples with a few surviving columns), which are open to the public. tourists. On the site of one of the ancient cities, the city of Rhodes arose, which today is the administrative center and main city, a kind of capital of the island.

The city of Rhodes is, without exaggeration, a unique place where many cultures and historical eras are intertwined, adjacent to each other and creating a special flavor. Judge for yourself, because since antiquity, Rhodes, due to its advantageous geostrategic position, has repeatedly changed hands: first it became part of the Roman Empire, then it became part of the Byzantine Empire, after which at the beginning of the 15th century it passed into the hands of the Knights of St. John or Hospitallers, who, after being expelled by the Turks, moved to Malta and became known as the Knights of Malta. Ottoman rule in Rhodes lasted until the beginning of the 20th century, when the Italians captured the island. And only in the late 40s of the last century Rhodes was returned to Greece.

All these eras have left an indelible mark on the culture and architecture of the island. From the ancient era there are ruins of snow-white ancient temples, from the Byzantine era - Orthodox churches, from the knightly Middle Ages - fortresses and massive walls, from the Ottoman period - various mosques and oriental motifs in architecture.

One of the main attractions of the island, the Old Town or Rhodes Fortress, was built by the Knights of St. John in the northernmost part of the island on the shore of a convenient bay. According to one version, the famous Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of the world, stood on the spot where the Knights of St. John (Hospitaliers) built a fortress, which still makes an indelible impression today.

The Old Town is the historical part of the city, a large fortress surrounded by powerful walls. These walls protect the fortress both from the sea (one row) and from the city (three rows). It is best to start your walk along the walls along the seashore, admire the yachts, ships, small boats from which souvenirs are traded, but most importantly, admire the powerful and perfectly preserved fortress walls. By the way, this is the best preserved medieval fortress in all of Europe.

You can enter the old city through the gates, there are nine in total (some say 11), but the most famous are the Damboise Gate and the Sea Gate. Each gate was a well-guarded and fortified entrance to the fortress; more than once they had to withstand the siege of enemies. As a rule, those who begin exploring the Old Town from the port enter through the Sea Gate, immediately finding themselves on the noisy and crowded Socrates shopping street, where there are many shops, shops, taverns, etc. But if your goal is to get acquainted with the historical part, it is better to enter through another gate, walking a little along the walls. Entrance to the fortress is free.

We arrived in Rhodes by taxi, the fare from Faliraki was 20 euros, and you could get there by bus for 2 euros per person. The taxi rank is located right at the Sea Gate, and somewhere nearby there is a bus terminus. You can get to Rhodes by bus from any locality; public transport runs every 30 minutes (sometimes delayed). We did not immediately go through the gate into the fortress, but decided to walk a little along the walls of the northern part of the fortress.

We entered the fortress through the side gates, leading into a kind of “bag” - a trap into which the besiegers fell, since there is no entrance to the fortress through it. This “bag” has two entrances; the besiegers were allowed into it, the gates were closed, and they fell into a trap, where they were shot by archers. Today, the remains of the rampart and the fortress moat are clearly visible here, and from the loophole windows you can see magnificent views of the sea and the famous port of Mandraki. We could not resist, deciding to first go to the port of Mandraki, so as not to return later and then spend the rest of the time in the Old Town.

We returned to the fortress through the Eleftherias gate. Here along the walls there is a fortress moat, which is now decorated with numerous flowers and palm trees.

Almost immediately a view of the ancient acropolis opens up - the ruins of the ancient temple of Athena. Behind it is the beautiful Argyrokastro Square with a fountain, and further away is the former building of the knight's hospital, which now houses the archaeological museum.

Then we went for a walk through the labyrinth of narrow streets paved with stone. Here and there there were various souvenir shops and cafes, and from the windows of the fortress the sounds of radio and TV, conversations, sounds of dishes and the smells of food were heard. As it turned out, the fortress in Rhodes is a residential area, people live here, which makes the fortress unique of its kind.

Oddly enough, there are not many people in the old part of the city, so you can take a leisurely walk, looking at all the details of the medieval fortress. On the way, we came across small groups of Russian tourists several times, so we got the impression that only our tourists interested in history wandered around this part of the Old Town.

Our main goal was the famous Street of Knights, which crosses the entire fortress and leads to the Castle of the Grand Masters.

The Street of Knights is the heart of the Old Town; it was once its main street, on which there were “embassies” of the order from different countries: England, France, Germany, Spain, etc. Solemn processions passed along it, European monarchs also visited here, and leads she went to the palace, where the residence of the Grand Masters, who headed the knightly order, was located. The street is located at a slight angle; along it there are entrances to courtyards, which are also residential. Many entrances are decorated with coats of arms and statues. Today this street is called Hippoton, it has retained its appearance almost unchanged, so many people think that now they will hear the clatter of hooves or the clanging of knightly armor.

This street ends with an imposing pointed arch that leads to a large square adjacent to the Palace of the Grand Masters. This impressive building itself is a well-fortified fortress, so that even if the enemy broke through the fortress walls, this palace could withstand a long siege. It was erected at the beginning of the 14th century, when the knights were expelled from the Holy Land and they moved here, making Rhodes their residence. True, the current building is an exact copy, a reconstruction, since the real castle was destroyed by the Ottomans. It was restored by the Italians on the orders of Mussolini, who planned to turn it into his residence.

Currently, the Palace of the Grand Masters houses a museum that includes exhibitions dating back to several eras: ancient, Byzantine and knightly. Entrance to the museum costs 6 euros.

After a tour of the Palace of the Grand Masters, we went to the busier part of the city, where there are shopping streets, cafes, taverns and restaurants, and numerous souvenir shops. Most of them are located on Socrates Street, which is located parallel to Hippoton, and they are connected by Panatiou Street, on which stands such a remarkable knight in armor.

On the way from the Palace of the Grand Masters to Socrates Street, one cannot help but notice several buildings. The first is some kind of antique building under reconstruction, the second is the famous mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent, which is considered one of the main attractions dating back to the Ottoman period. It was built during Turkish rule on the site of the destroyed Byzantine Church of the Apostles.

The beautiful red mosque building, located in the center of the Old City, is gradually falling into disrepair. Its appearance leaves much to be desired: the paint has faded and has crumbled in some places, as has the red plaster. It is obvious that this architectural monument requires renovation. Previously, tourists were allowed into the mosque, there was a museum exhibition here, today the entrance to the mosque is closed, all for the same reason - repairs are required, but there are no funds for it. But even in this form, the mosque attracts the eye, recalling its former pomp and grandeur.

Next to the mosque there is a clock tower built at the same time. This tower rises above the old city and has an observation deck. Entrance costs 5 euros, which also includes a visit to the small museum located in the tower, as well as a drink in the cafe below. But for some reason that day, when we were walking around the city, the entrance to the observation tower was closed (it was Sunday), so we were left without photographs with a panorama of the city.

In this extremely busy area of ​​the old city there are several interesting sights, for example, in Hippocrates Square there is an ancient fountain, and behind it a very interesting building, which turned out to be the building of the commercial court of the Knights of St. John. From Hippocrates Square you can go to the Jewish Quarter, the central part of which is the Square of Jewish Martyrs, dedicated to all the Jews of Rhodes exterminated by the Nazis in Auschwitz.

Today there is little reminder of this tragedy; this block, like the neighboring streets, is filled with people wanting to buy something or have a snack. We also decided to have lunch at one of the restaurants in the Old Town, not far from Hippocrates Square. We tried Greek moussaka and were very pleased.

I won't say that prices here are much higher than in other places. Souvenirs on Socrates Street are even much cheaper than in other tourist places, for example, in Lindos, and you can also bargain. Food prices also depend on the level of the establishment. There are, of course, expensive restaurants, and there are also outlets selling fast food, but on average, lunch in a regular restaurant or tavern will cost 30-40 euros for two.

To summarize, I will say that the Old Town is one of the most interesting places I have ever visited. The feeling of contact with antiquity, with different eras and cultures is unforgettable, so I advise you to definitely see this unique place with your own eyes.

One of the best Greek resorts offering to combine a luxurious holiday amid natural beauty with a tour of ancient sights that witnessed significant events of ancient history.

The capital of the same name was founded in 408 BC. e. Now about 70 thousand people live in it, but if we add tourists who come here throughout the year, the number of people increases 2-3 times depending on the season.

The city is divided into 3 parts:

• Residential. This is something like a residential area, but with a Greek flavor. The local population lives there.

• New one. It is aimed at tourists. The neighborhoods are lined with hotels, shops, restaurants, bars and other infrastructure necessary for a comfortable stay for guests from different countries.

• The old one. This is the most interesting, romantic and beautiful part of Rhodes, which allows you to travel back in time and feel the spirit of bygone days. Every tourist must visit here.

Old Town - Legacy of the Knights

The old part of Rhodes, founded by the Knights of St. John in the 14th century, is protected by the state and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The ancient warriors not only brilliantly repelled enemy attacks, but were also outstanding architects and builders. They expanded the boundaries of the ancient settlement, surrounded it with high, strong walls, built a moat and erected bastions. The result was an impregnable fortress, which to this day is considered the best example of fortification structures.

Inside the fortress walls there is a real pearl hidden - knightly houses with original exteriors, palaces, mosques, Byzantine churches, gardens, narrow cobbled streets and squares. The entrance to the old part of the city is opened by 11 gates, the main ones are located near the port.

Districts of the Old City

The old town is divided into 2 parts: Collachio(knights once lived there) and Burgo(considered the center of social, political and cultural life).

Collachio

The iconic landmarks of this part of the settlement are the Gate of Liberty and the Gate d'Amboise, which organically continue the 4-kilometer wall. If you pass through these ancient giants, the path to the intangible riches of Rhodes will open to you.

It is housed in the former hospital of the Johannites, dating from 1440-14481. The Gothic building houses many artifacts, the most famous are the tombstones from the necropolis of Kamiros (5th century BC), the marble statue of Aphrodite of Rhodes (1st century BC) , stone head of the Sun god Helios (2nd century BC), discovered in the ruins of a temple on the hill of Monte Smith, coins, household items and pottery from Mycenaean tombs.

Opening hours: every day from 08.00 to 18:30, except holidays. Admission: adults - 6 €, children (under 18 years old) - free.

Byzantine Museum

It is a Byzantine church built in the 11th century. It was once the main temple of the Johannites, which was later rebuilt into the Enderum Mosque (Red Mosque) during Turkish rule. Today it is a museum where you can admire an impressive collection of icons and frescoes from all over Greece.

The museum is open daily from 08:00 to 15:00, except holidays. Admission: adults - 6 €, children (under 18 years old) - free.

In the Middle Ages, this street was of great importance: it connected the Grand Port with the Temple of Helios. Residences were built on it for prominent representatives of the Order of St. John. The most interesting from an architectural point of view are the houses of knights from Italy, Provence, Aragon, Castile, Germany and Auvergne.

The massive structure, located on a hill, extends over the ancient part of the metropolis. When it was the Temple of Helios, then a Byzantine fort, which in the 14th century became the Palace of the 19 Grand Masters. The structure was destroyed by an accidental explosion in 1856 and was rebuilt in the mid-1930s.

Opening hours: daily from 08:00 to 18:00, except holidays. Admission: adults - 6 €, children (under 18 years old) - free.

This ancient antique structure, located near the fortress walls, was relatively recently named after the outstanding Greek actress Melina Mercouri. The open-air venue regularly hosts festivals, exhibitions, master classes, performances and performances.

This is not only the calling card of the island, but also the highest part of the Old Town. Steep, narrow steps lead to the top of the Clock Tower; the observation deck offers a panoramic view of the surrounding beauty.

Entrance - 5 €. Opening hours: 08.00 to 18:00.

Burgo (Chora)

The quarter is located in the south and occupies the largest part of the Old Town. People of different nationalities and religions lived here. The architecture is a mixture of Ottoman, Levantine, medieval and classical styles.

At the intersection of Hippocrates Square and Evriaki Street from the 1st century AD. until the Second World War there was a Jewish quarter. Almost the entire community, numbering 4 thousand people, was sent by the Nazis to Auschwitz. Only 42 Jews managed to avoid a tragic fate. In memory of those killed in the concentration camp, Evreon-Martiron Square was built, in the center of which there is a fountain. The round bowl, decorated with blue tiles depicting sea creatures, is crowned with figures of 3 seahorses. Near the fountain there are street cafes and souvenir shops. Other attractions include the medieval Admiralty building and the active synagogue on Dosiadou Street.

This church, built in the 14th century, was the largest and most visited in Rhodes. Like most other structures on the island, the temple was also built as a bastion so that the population could take refuge in the event of an enemy attack. Only fragments of the structure have survived to this day. The church is not active, but cultural events are often held on its territory.

Street of Socrates

This is the main shopping street of the Old Town, where souvenir shops and cafes are located, offering to relax in the shade of spreading trees, enjoying cool drinks and Greek cuisine.

Socrates Street turns into Hippocrates Square, which is considered the center of Burgo. Behind the scenes, residents call it “burned” in memory of the devastating fire of 1924. In the center of the square is the Sintrivan fountain. Designed in Byzantine and Ottoman styles, it is a round stone pool. In the center there is a miniature turret decorated with blue ceramics; the top of the structure is decorated with an owl. Metal springs extend from the turret, from which water flows.

Near the fountain there is the Chadrevan Mosque, the Kasteland Palace and many democratic cafes.

Greece is a unique country that boasts archipelagos of islands in various parts of the Mediterranean basin. Every corner of Hellas is attractive in its own way, but in the eastern Mediterranean there is no equal to the island of Rhodes. There are many archaeological monuments and historical buildings, as well as unique natural sites. You cannot describe the entire island in one article, so we will divide the story into parts and today we will talk about the capital of this wonderful place. Let's talk about the weather, history and attractions of the capital, and also give other interesting facts about the city of Rhodes. Join the journey through the streets of the ancient Greek city!

Interesting facts about the city of Rhodes from different time periods

At a quick glance, the island of Rhodes in Greece is not particularly remarkable. Here's what the hard facts about Rhodes say:

• Located in southeast Greece;
• Area 1401.5 km2;
• The permanent population numbers 115,490 inhabitants;
• Coastalthe line stretches for 220 km;
• The official language is Greek.

But statistics do not at all convey the aesthetic beauty and uniqueness of these places. It’s different when we read interesting facts about the island of Rhodes.

For example, Rhodes is one of the Greek islands washed by two seas: on the west its shores are framed by the waters of the Aegean Sea, and on the east by the Mediterranean. This proximity has led to the emergence of a unique natural attraction, which is romantically called “the kiss of two seas.” To admire this spectacle you need to go to Cape Prasonisi, located in the south of the island.

Agree, now the desire to travel to Greece to Rhodes has manifested itself much more than when we were simply telling the characteristics of the island. Therefore, to begin with, we bring to your attention interesting facts about the city of Rhodes. A small selection of 15 observations will act as a kind of aperitif, and then we will move on to the full dish - a detailed description of Rhodes.

Antiquity

1. The city was founded by people from the island cities of Camir, Ialis and Lind. This event took place in 408 BC.
2. Thanks to its convenient geographical location, ancient Rhodes in the Mediterranean became a major center of transit trade. According to historical information, previously there were as many as 5 ports in the city. However, only three of them have been located so far.
3. Ancient Rhodes is famous for the fact that it was in this city that one of the wonders of the world was erected - the Colossus of Rhodes. The bronze monument, about 36 meters high, towered over the harbor, welcoming visiting ships. The sculpture was dedicated to the sun god Helios, who is the patron saint of the city. And moreover, the myths of Greece say that Rhodes was an island that Helios carried out of the sea in his own hands.
4. Ancient Rhodes was severely destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BC. e. Colossus also suffered in this disaster. At first they wanted to restore the destroyed monument, but the Oracle warned the Greeks against making this mistake: the prophet said that this act could greatly anger Helios. The fragments of the statue remained lying on the ground until Rhodes was captured by foreign invaders and sold fragments of the Colossus to a Jewish merchant. He simply melted the remains of the wonder of the world into bronze ingots and took them to another country.
5. Later, Rhodes was repeatedly subjected to destructive earthquakes of varying strength. Nevertheless, a great ancient heritage has been preserved here. Of the monuments, the most valuable for the world and the country are the interesting ruins of the temple of Athena Polyada and the stadium, which is analogous to the stadium in Olympia. To date, this is the only antique copy that has survived to this day.

Middle Ages

1. Medieval Rhodes received its interesting facts thanks to the arrival of the Knights of St. John (Hospitaliers) to these lands. In 1309 the city became the seat of the order.
2. The Rhodes knights significantly strengthened the defenses of the settlement. The city was surrounded by a high and thick stone wall, the length of which was 4 km. The fortification was equipped with watchtowers and 7 gates, near which an armed guard stood.
3. The city was also divided from the inside by a wall. The smaller part, called Collachio, was completely given over to knighthood. The Palace of the Grand Masters, the Cathedral, a hospital and other administrative buildings were located here. In the larger part, Burgo or as it was also called Hora, ordinary residents settled. Houses, markets, churches, public buildings, etc. were built in this area.
4. Chivalry helped the townspeople defend Rhodes and fight off foreign attacks for more than two centuries. But in 1522, the Hospitallers were defeated during the siege of the city by Ottoman troops. So Rhodes came under the rule of the Turkish ruler Suleiman the Great.
5. As a result of the change of power, local residents were forced outside the city walls. The expelled townspeople had to settle in a new place, and this is how the New City (the modern part of Rhodes) developed.

Finding ourselves on one of the largest Greek islands, the first thing we did was visit. In this article I will talk about the ancient city and its attractions, as well as our impressions of what we saw. An interesting story and many beautiful photos await you. Stay with us! And don’t forget to share your experiences and emotions in the comments.

The Old Town of Rhodes is one of the most popular attractions not only but throughout the island. It is one of the best preserved fortified medieval cities and is included in the UNESCO list. We saw its mighty walls as soon as we approached the port of Mandraki. This is the largest Old Town I've ever seen. Probably, even a day will not be enough to walk around its territory and see all the sights.

Entrance to the Old Town is through 11 gates. The closest to the port is the Freedom Gate. And since we entered the island from the sea, our acquaintance with the Old Town of Rhodes began with them.

For orientation, there is a city map hanging at the entrance. And if you don’t have a paper or electronic one with you, then it’s better to take a photo of it. It's easy to get lost or lose your way among the stone walls and cobbled streets. You especially need to be careful when your walking time is limited and you need to catch a bus, plane or ferry.Since we didn’t have a map of the area, we took a photo of it on a smartphone and enjoyed using it while exploring the Old Town. As a rule, we go prepared, but this time we were a little short on time, so having a map at the entrance was a useful find.

Before we had time to move away from the map, the ruins of the Temple of Aphrodite, erected in the third century BC, appeared in front of us. The colorful dilapidated columns look very interesting, which attracts many tourists. We would have been stuck here for a long time. But if you “slow down” in one place like that, you can lose the passage of time and spend the night among tall stone walls. Although in the evening, under the light of lanterns, the Old Town looks very romantic and mysterious.

Having examined the ancient structure, we decided not to follow the crowds of tourists, but to wander a little around the cobbled streets of the city. Turning a little to the side, we found ourselves surrounded by high stone walls, in complete silence. We were transported to the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, during the times of the brave knights who built this city.At that moment, I imagined how in the past, knights in their heavy armor walked these streets, and the roar of their weapons could be heardto the most remote corners of the city...

For us, being in such places is very valuable. They are like a time machine that takes us back to past times and different eras. After all, this is the only way we can see and at least a little imagine what everything looked like before. In the classroom, it’s somehow not perceived that way. Now, if, while studying topics in history or geography, schoolchildren were given excursions to the places they were studying, it would be much more interesting and memorable. Is it true?

As in the old days, the Old Town consists of two parts - Kallakio and Chora (Burgo). Only before they were separated by a wall, and now by Lajitos Street. Part of Kallakio served as a colony for the Knights of the Order of St. John, who built the Old Town. The Palace of the Grand Masters deserves special attention in this part. It is also called Castello or Castle. This is a huge building with majestic fortifications, built in the 14th century. The appearance of the Palace impresses with its grandeur. According to legend, the castle was built on the site of the ancient temple of Helios. Entrance to the building is paid. In the Palace you can see a collection of medieval furniture, vases and interior items, as well as mosaics from the Roman and Greek eras. We decided not to go in, but to move on.

In the part of Kallakio we were fascinated by the Street of the Knights, leading to the Palace of the Masters. It is surrounded on both sides by the buildings of the former residences of the eight “Languages” nationalities. And also the Small Palace, on the facade of which the coats of arms of the Grand Masters are preserved. Near the representative office of the so-called “Language” of France there is a chapel with a Gothic statue of Our Lady and Child.

Walking along the ancient streets, we were surrounded by the sights of the Old Town at every step. This includes the Archaeological Museum located in the building of the knight's hospital, the Palace of the Admirals, and the medieval Theater where summer concerts, plays and dance performances are held. We never tired of looking from one attraction to another. It's good that you took the Power Bank with you. An indispensable item when traveling. Keeps gadgets in constant operation. It especially helps out when you need to take a lot of photographs.

Part of Chora or Burgo is the Greek district of the Old Town. According to ancient custom, its center was the Market Square - the Agora. The bustling life of the city took place here. Where did people gather before? Of course, in the markets. This is where they put on their best clothes and preened themselves. Just like in the city where I was born.

If during the day the residents went to the bazaar, then in the evening and in the morning they visited temples. The Chora area is full of beautiful churches and mosques from different eras. They are surrounded by a riot of greenery and flowers.

We met the most tourists on the streets of Socrates and Aristotle. And do you know why? Because there is a market on them. It stretches like a long thread, almost throughout the entire Old Town. This is a mecca for shopping lovers. And from Greece you can bring a lot of tasty, beautiful and healthy things. I’ll tell you about souvenirs in a separate article, so if you’re interested, don’t miss it! We spent a lot of time here, and even had to go a second time, because we almost forgot about one of our friends, to whom we promised a gift.

There are many cafes and restaurants in the Old Town where you can try.

Did you know that in ancient times there were also shopping centers? This is the first time we have heard about this. So in the Old Town of Rhodes on Hippocrates Street there is the Castellania building, preserved from the times of chivalry. In those days, it was a kind of shopping center. The lower floor was occupied by merchants selling all sorts of things, and the commercial court was located on the upper floor.

Walking through the Old Town, we came across the Square of Jewish Martyrs. There used to be a Jewish Quarter here, but during the Second World War it and its inhabitants suffered greatly. There are several cozy cafes on the square. The area is small, so the tables located on the street take up almost the entire space. In the middle it is decorated with a fountain with two cute seahorses. Near the square, in fact, as well as on the square itself, there are many shops. Don't forget to pay attention to shop windows with the Tax Free logo.

With it you can return 23% VAT on your purchase. , I already wrote, I won’t dwell on this. I almost forgot to mention another attraction located on the Square of Jewish Martyrs - the Palace of the Admirals. This is an interesting building from the 15th century.

Review. We were very impressed with the old town of Rhodes. There are a huge number of attractions on its territory. I didn’t write about each of them, because there weren’t enough characters to put them in one article. I told about the most interesting ones, those that we liked and were interesting to explore.

How to get to the Old Town of Rhodes

By bus

From Diagoras Airport, which is located 15 km from the Old Town, you can take a public bus. The bus stop is located 200 meters from the airport terminal exit. Cost approximately 2 Euro. Tickets can be purchased from the driver or at the bus stop.

Taxi

From your hotel, airport or other departure point you can take a taxi to the Old Town. The cost from the airport is about 25 euros. Taxis can be taken upon arrival or booked in advance. For example, with the help of the well-proven . The driver will meet you at the airport with a sign and take you to your desired destination.

Useful information (Old Town, Greece)

Address:

Ippokratous 1-13, Rodos 851 00, Greece

GPS coordinates:

N36.446556, E28.2218594

Price:

Entrance to the Old Town is free. Visits to museums and palaces are available for an additional fee.

• Take a Power bank with you. You'll have to take a lot of photos, so an extra charge won't hurt.
• Wear more comfortable shoes.

How to find budget accommodation in Greece
Cheap accommodation or hotels in Greece can be found through the hotellook booking system, we use it ourselves, verified. The convenience of the service is that it compares prices from dozens of booking systems - all you have to do is choose the best offer for yourself and buy.

The city of Rhodes is the capital of the island of the same name and one of the most interesting cities in Greece. Knights Hospitaller, Turks, Byzantines, ancient (and not so ancient) Greeks - different civilizations lived here for centuries. That's why the center of Rhodes is literally crammed with interesting things. So, are you ready? We go on a walk to the Old Town of Rhodes and explore its history and amazing sights along the way!

Old Town of Rhodes: attractions with reviews, descriptions and photos + map in Russian

Sights of the Old Town of Rhodes: contents of the article

A Brief History of the City of Rhodes

To begin with, the history of the city of Rhodes in just a few sentences. The ancient city of Rhodes was founded in 408 BC in the north and immediately became its capital. It was here that the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was built. True, it stood for only half a century and was destroyed by an earthquake in 225 BC. From ancient times until the beginning of the 14th century, Rhodes was part of Byzantium, and in 1309 the Knights of the Order of St. John, also known as the Hospitallers, came there. The knights built their capital here and It was under the Hospitallers that the old city of Rhodes was created and surrounded by a fortress wall, where medieval buildings have been well preserved to this day. At the beginning of the 16th century, the city of Rhodes was captured by the Turks, who ruled the city for almost 400 years. In 1912 they were briefly replaced by the Italians, and since 1948 the island and the city of Rhodes have been part of Greece.

Well, that's enough history, and now - the most interesting thing: the sights of the city of Rhodes, for which it is already worth coming to Greece! By the way, you can explore them not only on your own, but also as part of an excursion with a Russian guide, which you can book on the website:

Rhodes fortress

Actually, the Rhodes Fortress is the Old Town of Rhodes, which is surrounded by powerful fortress walls and gates. Inside these walls are the main attractions of the Old Town of Rhodes: the Palace of the Grand Masters, the Street of Knights, etc. The Rhodes Fortress was built by the Knights Hospitaller in the 14th-15th centuries. It was considered the most impregnable in the Christian world, withstood several sieges, but the persistent Ottomans still took it in 1522 after a six-month siege by the army of Suleiman the Magnificent (yes, the same one from the series). The Turks allowed the knights to leave the island and they moved to Malta, making it their new capital.

The fortress is surrounded by strong stone walls. The main attractions of the Old Town of Rhodes are hidden behind them.

Inside, the Old Town of Rhodes is a wonderful mixture of Greek and Turkish styles.

The magic of the Old City. Once you turn a corner, you are transported to another universe, where there are no noisy tourists and kebab sellers.

Palace of the Grand Masters

This palace is perhaps main attraction of Rhodes city. This beautiful building has stood in its place (see the map of the sights of the old town of Rhodes at the end of the article) for more than 700 years. For more than two centuries that the knights owned Rhodes, 19 masters (and all, as if by choice, great ones) sat in the Palace in turn. When the Turks took the island, they set up a prison in this place. And already under the Greeks, to whom the old city of Rhodes passed in the middle of the last century, a museum was opened in the castle. No, not even two museums!

Entrance to the Palace of the Grand Masters - the main attraction of the Old Town of Rhodes.

The courtyard is decorated with sculptures and tourists, but in the low season most of the tourists are under restoration.

Museums of the Palace of the Grand Masters

The inside of the Palace of the Grand Masters is no less impressive than the outside. And, as has already been said, it is not even one, but two museums! The first is a museum dedicated to the knightly period of the history of Rhodes, consisting of two hundred huge halls and rooms. Furniture made of precious wood, huge chandeliers and fireplaces, antiques - the Greeks perfectly managed to recreate the luxury and splendor that surrounded the religious leaders of the Middle Ages.

And on the lower floors of the Palace of the Grand Masters there is a museum of antiquity. It displays many interesting archaeological finds made on the territory of both the city of Rhodes and the entire island. Many statues, coins, amphorae and other specimens are perfectly preserved. It's a pity, filming inside is prohibited. Ticket price – 6 euros.

I admit, we are not big fans of museums and did not go to them even in Amsterdam. But we made an exception for the museums of the Palace of the Grand Masters and did not even expect that we would like it so much! We highly recommend this place to you.

The interiors of the Palace of the Grand Masters of Rhodes are designed in the loft style that was fashionable at that time.

Sights of the Old Town of Rhodes: You can freely photograph the upper floors of the Palace of the Grand Masters, but taking pictures in the Museum of Antiquity is prohibited.

What a good idea for a renovation!

Street of Knights

The main street of Old Rhodes starts right from the entrance (or exit?) to the Palace of the Grand Masters. During the time of the Hospitallers, the houses of each of the seven “languages”, that is, the residences of the nations that were part of the order, were located on it. There were seven such nations: England, France, Italy, Germany, Castile, Provence, Aragon, Auvergne (a region within modern France), and the buildings of the Street of Knights were divided between them. Since the street is the main one, it is on it that the most beautiful buildings of the Old City are located to this day, it is on it that Beautiful (and not so beautiful) Ladies in cornflower blue dresses still play the flute, and it is on it that Noble Knights utter something in Latin, stumbling about the cobblestone.

Eh, the Street of Knights has become different! Previously, knights played serenades for ladies, but now it’s the other way around.

Dashing horses await riders in the stables on the outskirts of the Street of Knights.

Suleiman Mosque

The Turks ruled Rhodes for four centuries and, of course, It is impossible to imagine the sights of the Old Town of Rhodes without Muslim buildings. Having taken Rhodes in the 16th century, the Turks settled in the city center and drove the indigenous population outside the fortress walls. It is not surprising that in some places Old Rhodes has become very similar to the famous one. The most beautiful example of Ottoman architecture is considered to be the mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent, built in honor of you know who at the very beginning of Turkish rule on the island. It is located on the main shopping street of Rhodes, Sokratos, where it is mainly not the Greeks who sell souvenirs and kebabs, but the descendants of the Janissaries.

The Suleiman Mosque is located on the busiest street of Rhodes - st. Socrates. You won't pass by!

Clock tower

The clock tower was built in knightly times and is located next to the Suleiman Mosque. This is the highest point in the center of the capital. There is an observation deck on the Clock Tower, which offers a beautiful view of the sights of the old town of Rhodes, the sea and Mandraki harbor. The price of a ticket to the observation deck is 5 euros, it comes with a drink of your choice: coffee, tea, juice or wine.

From the Clock Tower you can clearly see the sights of the Old Town of Rhodes.

Mandraki Harbor

After walking along the ancient streets and admiring the main attractions of the Old Town of Rhodes, we will go out to breathe the sea air in the ancient port of Mandraki. The port here was built before our era and it was here that the statue of the Colossus of Rhodes stood. The current appearance of the port, as can be seen from its architecture, was given by the Knights Hospitaller in the 14th-15th centuries.

Once upon a time, Mandraki Harbor in the city of Rhodes was the main sea gate of the island. Now this is one of the favorite vacation spots for citizens and tourists.

Statues of Deer and Reindeer

It is unlikely that this sweet couple can be included in the main attractions of the city of Rhodes, but since we are already in the port, it is very worth paying attention to these monuments. Firstly, bronze statues are installed on both sides of the entrance to the port, that is, where the legs of the legendary Colossus used to be located. Secondly, at one time deer saved Rhodes from snakes. Poisonous snakes did not allow the islanders to live, and deer were brought from the “mainland” to fight them. These animals cannot stand snakes and, at the slightest opportunity, strive to trample them into dust. In just a few months, good decisively defeated evil, and the grateful islanders erected a monument to their saviors in the most iconic place.

The Deer and the Reindeer saved Rhodes from the snakes and took the place of the Colossus of Rhodes.

Fort St. Nicholas

Saint Nicholas is considered the patron saint of sailors. It is not surprising that the Byzantine church built on the southernmost pier of the port of Mandraki was dedicated to him. In the middle of the 15th century, the pier was strengthened in case of a sea invasion and in its place a fort with a lighthouse was built, today considered one of the main attractions of the city of Rhodes.

What to see in the city of Rhodes: the fort was built on the site of the Byzantine Church of St. Nicholas.

Windmills

Previously, there were three dozen windmills in the Old Town, but only three of them have survived to this day. Windswept, they stand in Mandraki harbor next to Fort St. Nicholas. Of course, they don’t make flour in them anymore: today the mill buildings house museums, souvenir shops and travel agencies.

Sights of the Old Town of Rhodes: today the windmills have turned into shops and offices of travel companies.

Rhodes Cathedral

Well, the last of the attractions located in the port of the Old City is the Cathedral of Rhodes, also known as the Church of the Annunciation. A very beautiful neo-Gothic style church built by the Italians in 1925 and fits perfectly into the medieval architectural ensemble of the city of Rhodes. During our travels around Greece, we got used to the ascetic interior of local churches and therefore were surprised by the rich decoration of the cathedral. The church is very popular among both tourists and local residents; weddings are often held here, one of which we were lucky to see in person.

“Do you agree to be with her for richer and poorer, in health and in sickness, until death do you part?”
- Yes, no, yes, no, no.

Map of the Old Town of Rhodes with attractions in Russian

As you can see, friends, the sights of the Old Town of Rhodes are very worthy of your attention. Therefore, even if you come to the island with the goal of lying on the beach, do not miss the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of its ancient capital! Moreover, you can see all the most interesting things in the city of Rhodes on your own and in just one day. Well, two at most.

And the city of Rhodes is a very convenient place to stay on the island to explore its attractions. We ourselves lived in the city of Rhodes and we have a selection of good hotels from Booking, in each of which we could stay.

We are waiting for your feedback about the attractions of the Old Town of Rhodes! And in the next article we will tell you about.