Medieval Town

Straight out of a fairy tale, with imposing walls and gates, knightly buildings and cobbled streets, the enchanting old town of Rhodes gives you the feeling that the knights still live among us.
Eleven amazing entrance gates with most of them built by the Venetians and bearing the coat of arms of the battalion of the Knights of Saint John. Impressive buildings of the 14th and 15th centuries, around 35 churches and mosques, the oldest inhabited city in Europe, awaits you to explore its every aspect. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the island’s landmark attracts thousands of visitors every year from all over the world.
The medieval city began to take shape in the late 7th century AD, and quadrupled in size with the arrival of the Knights of Saint John. Its fortifications were extended, with 4 km of perimeter walls, the palatial fortress complex and an intermediate wall that divided the city into two parts.
During the Ottoman Empire many buildings changed use. Several mosques with impressive minarets and baths were built, while its population decreased considerably. During the Italian rule, the damage to the buildings was fully restored and the city began to be reborn again.
Today’s old town is more alive than ever with dozens of shops, restaurants, bars and great accommodation. In the famous Street of the Knights are the most important medieval buildings such as the unique Grand Master’s Palace, the Archaeological Museum, the accommodations of the languages, that is, of the nationalities of the battalion, the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, Saint John of Kollaki and the Byzantine Church of Panagia of Castle, an 11th century building.
If you enter the medieval city through the sea gate, which is the most impressive of all, you will find yourself in Hippocrates square with the marble fountain, the Castellania steps and many coffee bars and restaurants. Aristotelous Street starts from there and leads you to the Jewish Martyrs Square with the characteristic fountain with Hippocampus. Then head to Sokratous Street, the city’s oldest shopping street to date, with dozens of shops.
At the top of the street dominates the Suleiman Mosque built by Sultan Suleiman after the capture of Rhodes. At the point where Sokratous Street joins Orfeos Street is the Clock Tower. From the top of the Tower you can admire the panoramic view of the old town. Also nearby are the 16th century Turkish baths and the Mustafa Pasha Mosque. On your tour of the Medieval city, don’t miss visiting the Gothic architecture, Panagia of Bourgou. As well as the Jewish Kahal Shalom Synagogue, built in the 16th century. It is the oldest functioning Jewish Synagogue in Greece and the only one on the island.
Finally, wander through the countless alleys discovering another quieter side of the city and experience your own fairy tale and magic on the Island of the Knights.