Under the Burning Sun of Rhodes

Sunny days are at home in Rhodes. The quiet villages, ancient ruins, lovely beaches with sand or stones and blue waters transform this island into a perfect destination for a vacation.

There are plenty of places to see on this beautiful island. For now I will let you know what you can do in the city of Rhodes.

You can start you trip with The Old Town of Rhodes. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this place is one of the best preserved medieval cities of Europe. It was founded in 408 BC. Through the history, it has been held by the Greeks, the Knights of St. John (1309-1522), the Ottomans (1522-1912), the Italians (1912-1948), and again the Greeks. The old buildings are the leaving proof about the glorious past. Imposing medieval walls are surrounding the city.

You can entered the city through Eleftheria Gate and discover first the Simis Square with the Temple of Aphrodite.

under the burning sun of Rhodes

A short walk on the same street with the Temple of Aphrodite, turning right and you will enter the beautiful Street of the Knights. Running from the New Hospital – Archaeological Museum up to the Palace of the Grand Masters, this cobbled street, lined by stone buildings with Gothic arches, still looks much as it would have in the old days. This is where the knights had their “Inns”. The order was divided into seven “tongues” – Provence, Aragon, Auvergne, France, Italy, Germany and England – each with its own “Inn’’. The inns were used as eating clubs and temporary residences for visiting dignitaries, and their facades reflect the various architectural details of their respective ‘’tongue’.

under the burning sun of Rhodes
under the burning sun of Rhodes
under the burning sun of Rhodes

As you reach the top of the street, on the right, stands the imposing Palace of the Grand Master. It was built at the highest point of the city and played an active role in the defense of the city. The fortress was built by the Knights of St. John and used to be the residence of the leader of the order – the Grand Master. After Rhodes was conquered by the Ottomans, the palace was converted to a prison. In 1856 the Palace of the Grand Master was severely damaged due to an explosion of gunpowder. What you see today is the extensive restorations made during the Italian occupation.

under the burning sun of Rhodes

On the first floor you can visit the large Hall of the Council, the Knights’ dining hall and the private chambers of the Master. Definitely you will be impressed by the mosaics that decorate the floors.

On the ground floor you can visit the two permanent archaeological exhibitions:

  • ‘‘Ancient Rhodes – 2400 years’’
  • “Rhodes from the Early Christian period to the Turkish conquest (1522)”

Continue your journey on the Panetiou Street, you will see the ruins of the Turkish Library on your right. Very near to this place you can see the Mosque of Suleiman, built after the Turks occupied the city of Rhodes.

Sokratous Street and Ippokratous Square are commercial areas of the city. Tourist shops, restaurants, coffee shops create a lively atmosphere, in contrast with the peaceful Street of the Knights.

under the burning sun of Rhodes
under the burning sun of Rhodes
under the burning sun of Rhodes

If you exit the medieval town through the the old harbour gate, you will discover the place where the famous Colossus of Rhodes once stood. After this you can continue your trip to the New City of Rhodes.

This part was constructed when the inhabitants living inside the walls of the Medieval City built new settlements outside the walls, after the siege of Suleiman the Magnificent (1522). Most of the buildings date from the Italian occupation, which designed the town according to the Neogothic and Venetian architectural style. This has created a charming image to the city, particularly in the area of the port of Rhodes. Parks, squares and wide streets complete the lovely aspect of the New City of Rhodes where all the tourist, commercial and cultural activities are gathered.

So let yourself get lost on the narrow stone-paved streets and you will discover a magical place!

under the burning sun of Rhodes

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