Close to the modern amenities of Rhodes New Town, Mandraki Harbour blends ancient heritage with contemporary life, making it a landmark of historical and cultural significance. This historic port reflects Rhodes' deep connection with the sea and its role through centuries of maritime trade and defense.
According to legend, the world-famous Colossus of Rhodes once stood here. Modern research, however, suggests that the statue may have been located on the eastern promontory of Mandraki Harbour or further inland. What is certain is that it never straddled the entrance, as once believed.
Though the Colossus has long vanished, Mandraki Harbour retains an atmosphere steeped in history. Its quays are lined with notable monuments that transport visitors through the island’s storied past. Today, it stands as one of Rhodes Town’s most cherished symbols, drawing travellers to explore its unique blend of architecture, legends, and seafront charm.
At the harbour entrance, two bronze deer statues - the stag ‘Elefos’ and the doe ‘Elafina’ - stand on stone columns dating back to the Venetian era, welcoming ships much as they have for centuries.
Mandraki’s calm waters are dotted with fishing boats, sailing yachts, and excursion vessels, while larger ferries use the nearby commercial port. Surrounded by historic buildings, it is often described as an open-air museum, inviting leisurely walks along its promenade.
One of the first landmarks you encounter is the Church of the Annunciation, or Evangelismos Church, built in 1925 by Italian architects who modelled it after the medieval Gothic Church of St. John in Rhodes Old Town. Known today as Rhodes Cathedral, it features pointed arches, high vaulted ceilings, and richly decorated frescoes and icons. A tall bell tower by the side entrance adds to its impressive silhouette.
On the opposite side of the harbour lies the 15th-century Fortress of Agios Nikolaos, named for the island’s patron saint. Originally a small church, it was fortified by the Knights of St. John into a defensive stronghold. Today, it is crowned with a white lighthouse and flanked by three well-preserved medieval windmills once used to grind grain unloaded from ships.
Looking inland from the quays, two major attractions catch the eye. The Nea Agora (New Market), built in the 1920s during Italian rule, welcomes visitors through white arches and beneath domed roofs. Inside, shops and cafés mingle with stalls selling fresh fish, meats, herbs, and local delicacies, creating a lively atmosphere with hints of Arabic architectural influence.
Rising behind the market is the Palace of the Grand Masters, a fortress-palace that symbolises the power of the Knights Hospitaller. Extensively restored by the Italians in the late 1930s, it remains one of Rhodes Town’s most iconic monuments, blending medieval grandeur with layers of later history.
Together, the Nea Agora and the Palace form a striking backdrop to Mandraki Harbour, embodying Rhodes’ heritage and its enduring allure. Walking along the waterfront, with the scent of the sea and the echoes of history in the air, visitors experience a living link between past and present in the heart of Rhodes Town.
Mandraki Harbour Map and Location
There are many more historical sites on Rhodes island - do not miss out exploring them!
