Medieval City of Rhodes
Greece ·
Description
When the Knights of St. John were expelled from the Holy Land, they turned Rhodes into their impregnable fortress for 213 years (1309-1522). Behind its 4-kilometer walls with 11 monumental gates, the Street of the Knights aligns the inns of the order's eight 'tongues.' The Palace of the Grand Master, reconstructed by Italians, dominates a city where Ottoman mosques and Jewish synagogues coexist with Gothic churches, testimony to centuries of successive dominations.
Why It's a World Heritage Site
Rhodes represents an exceptional example of a late medieval city built by the Order of the Knights of St. John. The site documents the order's late Gothic architecture in the eastern Mediterranean and subsequent Ottoman transformations in an urban ensemble of remarkable integrity.
UNESCO Criteria
Frequently Asked Questions
It's one of Europe's largest inhabited medieval cities. Plan at least half a day. Getting lost in its alleys is part of the experience.
The Palace of the Grand Master (impressive museum), the Street of the Knights (most authentic), the walls (walk on top with views), and the Knights' Hospital (archaeological museum).
The exact location is unknown (probably at the harbor, not straddling it). Deer statues mark today's harbor entrance as the island's symbol.
Flights from Athens and many European cities (more frequent in summer). Ferries from Piraeus (18 hours) and other Dodecanese islands.
2-3 days for Rhodes city. A week allows exploring Lindos, beaches, and other villages on the island.