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Rhodes Medieval Town, Rhodes

When you approach the walls of the Old Town of Rhodes, you are about to enter the oldest inhabited medieval town in Europe. Do not be misled by the term "medieval" into thinking that what you will see is a ruined and deserted city.

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.

Rhodes Medieval Town © Rhodes Guide / RhodesGuide.com

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.

Rhodes Medieval Town © Rhodes Guide / RhodesGuide.com

Rhodes Medieval Town © Rhodes Guide / RhodesGuide.com

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