Medieval City of Rhodes

Rarely does one have the chance to stroll into twenty-four centuries of history and countless previous centuries of human presence, all within medieval walls, which surround 58.37 hectares of land. Even more rarely is one able to spend time in such a fabulous place, where, today, 2.500 inhabitants still share an amazing palette of multicultural influences. Such a place is the Medieval Town of Rodos, a functional part of the modern city of Rodos, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988. Cultures and time periods alternate with fascinating diversity as you enter the Old Town of Rodos through the Gate of Freedom. Medieval fortress-like buildings, narrow alleys, minarets, old houses with their balconies, decorative, drinking or ablution fountains, tranquil or busy squares with shady trees, all contribute to creating an atmosphere of the past. The Medieval Town of Rodos is a mosaic of different cultures and civilizations, the uniqueness of which one cannot fully understand just by reading these lines. It is a “living” city, forever young, overcoming time to look ahead towards the future, more beautiful than ever.

The Order of St John of Jerusalem occupied Rhodes from 1309 to 1523 and set about transforming the city into a stronghold. It subsequently came under Turkish and Italian rule. With the Palace of the Grand Masters, the Great Hospital and the Street of the Knights, the Upper Town is one of the most beautiful urban ensembles of the Gothic period. In the Lower Town, Gothic architecture coexists with mosques, public baths and other buildings dating from the Ottoman period.

Source: wikipedia.org, www.rodosisland.gr