Greece | Rhodes Island | Rhodes Old Town | Knight Hospitaller

From Chania On The Island Of Crete I wandered over to the island of Rhodes. The town of Rhodes was of course the headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller from 1309 to 1522, when they were displaced by the Ottoman Turks under Suleiman the Magnificent.

 Crete at the bottom of the map. Rhodes is the easternmost of the white (Greek) islands, with the town of Rhodes at the northern end (click on images for enlargements).

The old town is essentially the part of the town lying inside the mammoth walls built by the Knights Hospitaller. The modern town of Rhodes lies outside the old city walls. 

Modern city to the north and south of Rhodes Old Town, shown here in dark yellow

 Old Town of Rhodes showing the Hospitaller walls in brown.

Main street of the Rhodes Old Town. Rhodes is primarily a summer resort. In the winter most of the stores and restaurants serving tourists are closed and the town is very quiet.

 Same street in summertime; obviously a different scene (not my photo)

Main Square of Rhodes Old Town

Ipoton Street, or the Street of Knights, leading to the Castle of the Knights Hospitaller. On either side of the street were lodges which hosted members of the Knights Hospitaller from various European countries. Prominent were the French and English.

Another view of the Street of Knights

Entrance to the Castle of Knights, which was the headquarter of the Knights Hospitaller and the home of their Grand Master. Parts of the castle was destroyed by a gunpowder explosion in the nineteenth century. It was rebuilt in the twentieth century. The entryway with its two towers, however, reportedly dates back to the original building.

Another view of the entrance to the Castle of the Knights Hospitaller.

Another view of the entrance to the Castle of the Knights Hospitaller

Courtyard of the Castle of the Knights Hospitaller

Arcade of the Castle of the Knights Hospitaller

 Backside of the Castle of the Knights Hospitaller

View of Castle of the Knights Hospitaller from the back

My quarters in Rhodes Old Town. Oddly enough, the hotel appeared to be run by a Chinese woman in her early twenties. It was certainly an accommodating place. My room even had  complimentary ground coffee and a French press.