Sites to visit in the Medieval Town
The most important site to visit and just 10 steps from our hotel is the Grand Master’s Palace: According to recent study, in the exact spot in which the palace exists today, there were the foundations of the ancient temple of the Sun-god ‘Helios’ and probably that was the spot where Colossus of Rhodes stood in the Antiquity. The palace was originally built in the late 7th century as a Byzantine Citadel. After the Knights Hospitalier occupied Rhodes and some other Greek islands (such as Kalymnos and Kastellorizo) in 1309, they converted the fortress into their administrative centre and the palace of their Grand Master. In the first quarter of the 14th century, they repaired the palace and made a number of major modifications. The palace was damaged in the earthquake of 1481, and it was repaired soon afterwards.
The Archaeological Museum: The Archaeological Museum of Rhodes is located in the Medieval City of Rhodes. The museum is housed in the monumental edifice that was the hospital of the Knights of Saint John. Construction of it was begun in 1440 and brought to completion in the time of the Grand Master d’Aubusson (1476-1503). The Museum contains various collections of archaeological artifacts from various parts of Rhodes and the neighbouring islands. Statue of the Crouching Aphrodite, 1st century BC, inspired by a famous prototype work created by the sculptor Doidalsas in the 3rd century B.C.
Museum of Modern Art: The Modern Greek Art Museum presents extensive painting and engraving collections not to mention numerous sculptures, drawings and documents of historical value. The works of engraving and painting represent efficiently the modern Greek art of the 20th century along with its most eminent artists. Some of these works of art are considered to be of great significance and they are chosen in order to narrate the history of art. The central idea of all these collections is to present the history of Greece through the eyes and the soul of Greek artists of the 20th century. The Modern Greek Art Museum reflects the particularity and simultaneously the international character of Greece.
Suleiman Mosque: This mosque was the first mosque in the town of Rhodes, built soon after Ottomans besieged it and captured it in 1522. In 1808 the current building of mosque was built through the reconstruction of this first mosque. Its plaster is rose-pink. The most of the mosque was reconstructed using materials of the buildings which existed at the same place in the earlier period.
Our lady of the castle: The church of Our Lady of the Castle is located at the eastern end of the Knights Street in Kollakio the Medieval City. The original core of the building was probably erected in the 11th century. and belonged to the type of cruciform domed temple. This architecture phase is evident to the genesis of some vaults.
According to the Ministry of Culture after the conquest of Rhodes by the Knights, the Byzantine church was reconstructed and took the form of three-aisled Gothic basilica with transept. The coats of arms of the Grand Master Helion de Villeneuve and Pope John XXII saved in the central pointed arch window militate in dating this phase between 1319 and 1334.
Hafiz Ahmed Agha Library: is an important historic Ottoman building in the medieval city of Rhodes in Greece, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The library was founded by Hafiz Ahmed Agha in 1793. Hafiz Ahmed Agha was born in the village of Asgourou , 3 km to the south from the present center of the city of Rhodes, in the middle of the 18th century in a wealthy, established Ottoman family. He was educated in the Imperial Court and later became the Chief Equerry of the Sultan. He retired in 1789, but was reactivated and became a member of the regular delegations travelling to Mecca with the yearly presents of the sultan to the Sharif of Mecca. He died on such a travel some time between 1800-1802. He founded this library for the literate public of his home town with 1995 manuscripts from the entire scope of Islamic science in 1793. The institution became a center of learning. Hafiz Ahmed Agha paid the librarians also for teaching the Arabic language, which was necessary for the reading of the texts. Presently there are 1256 manuscripts in the possession of the library. Among the most valuables there is a Koran from 1540, the history of the Turkish siege of the city in 1522, and manuscripts with Persian miniatures.
Roloi clock tower: The clocktower is a byzantine structure that was originally built at the end of the 7th. century, and has undergone several rebirth since. It now is a fonctioning piece of our history where you can enjoy the beautiful views of Rhodes and Old Town.
- Published in Medieval Town