In the Medieval Town of Rhodes (or Old Town) you may for sure enjoy one of the most interesting walks on the island. When you approach the walls of the Old Town of Rhodes, you are about to enter the oldest inhabited medieval town in Europe. A bustling neighborhood of some 6000 people, who live and work in the same buildings in which the Knights of St. John lived six centuries ago. It's a thrill to behold. Medieval buildings, mosques, traditional fountains, oriental motifs, Byzantine and Gothic churches, shops and cafeterias are scattered throughout the Old Town of Rhodes, all blending together to create a unique and picturesque whole. There are roughly 200 streets or lanes that simply have no name.
Getting lost here is not a defeat; it's an opportunity. Whenever you feel the need to find your bearings, you can ask for Sokratous street, which is the closest the Medieval City comes to having a main street. The Palace of the Grand Masters, reconstructed by the Italians in 1940 after it was demolished by a gunpowder explosion in 1856, stands out because of its imposing entrance and well built towers and battlements. The interiors of the buildings, decorated with priceless treasures, are equally impressive.
The Hospice of St. Catherine was built in 1391-92, under grand master Heredia, by the Italian Domenico d'Allemagna, admiral of the Order of the Knights of St. John (Knights Hospitaller). The founder was an important personage, disposing of considerable means.
Topics: Monuments in Rhodes
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Filerimos Monastery & Castle, set atop the hill of Filerimos near the ancient town of Ialysos on Rhodes, is a significant Byzantine structure. Built during the Byzantine Era, the site is surrounded by a diverse ensemble of historic buildings and ruins spanning Byzantine, Hellenistic, and Medieval periods. Key among these are the Temples of Athena Polias and Zeus. The monastery and castle stand within a serene pine forest, encapsulating the rich historical tapestry of the region.
Topics: Monuments in Rhodes
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The castle of Asklipio (Asklepieion) was built in 1479 by Grand Master D'Aubusson at the site of an ancient lighthouse. In the Byzantine period, during the time of the Knights, the castle also offered the inhabitants of the surrounding villages protection against enemy attacks.
Topics: Monuments in Rhodes
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