Old Rhodes Town: Everything You Need to Know

Located on the northeastern tip of the island of the same name, the city of Rhodes, Greece has a long and colourful history.

The city is comprised of two major sections – referred to as Old Rhodes Town and New Rhodes Town. The New Town was created during the Ottoman period and surrounds the Old Town. The Old Town (sometimes referred to as the Citadel of Rhodes or the Walled City) is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. With it's fortress-like buildings and houses, narrow streets and alleys, and crenellated bastions, it's easy to imagine life in medieval times as you stroll through the city.

History of Rhodes

Early and Classic Antiquity

Archaeological findings indicate that the island of Rhodes was inhabited as early as 4000 BC and it is believed that Minoans settled on the island in the 16th century BC. The island's colonization during the Hellenistic period is attributed to Heracles' son Tlepolemus before the Trojan War.

In 408 BC the island's three major cities Ialyssos, Kameiros and Lindos – combined to form the city of Rhodes. The ancient city was designed to exacting specifications by Hippodamus of Miletus and featured both a water supply network and sewage system.

The city developed into a maritime, commercial and cultural center and its coins were circulated throughout the Mediterranean. It also developed a reputation for offering education in the fields of philosophy, science (astrology), literature, rhetoric and art.

Roman Period (164 BC – 330 AD)

In 164 BC, Rhodes became a province of the Roman Empire. It preserved much of its splendour during this period and continued to evolve as a center of advanced education, particularly for Roman nobility.

Byzantine Period (330-650 AD)

Little is known about Rhodes during this period. Given its location, the city continued to function as an important military base, and church records list many churches and impressive basilicas.

Knights' Period (1308-1522 AD)

In 1308 AD, the Knights Hospitallers (formerly the Knights Templar) conquered the island and established their headquarters in the city of Rhodes. They maintained control for over two centuries, building and strengthening fortifications to protect the city from invasion. Working in collaboration with the city's residents, they also built a hospital, a palace and several churches.

Rhodes prospered during this period despite growing hostilities with the Ottomans.

Ottoman Period (1522-1912 AD)

In 1522 AD, the Ottoman Turks conquered the island and the Greek population was forced to move to suburbs outside of the walled city. They populated the surrounding area, which is now referred to as the New Town of Rhodes. (Old and New are relative terms when historic timelines stretch back 24 centuries!)

Most of the city's mosques and baths were built during this period.

The decline of the Ottoman Empire and several strong earthquakes resulted in the deterioration of the town's buildings in the 19th century.

Italian Period (1912-1948 AD)

The Italians took control of the island in 1912 AD They improved on the existing infrastructure, building wide roads and squares, and several notable buildings in the New Town, including the Post Office, the Prefecture of the Dodecanese, Evangelismos Church (Church of the Annunciation), the Town Hall and the National Theatre. They also removed many of the additions made during the Ottoman rule.

The Italians were responsible for rebuilding much of the architecture from the Knights' period, restoring the Old Town's medieval feeling we know and love today.

Modern Period

In 1948 AD, Rhodes officially became a part of Greece, and forty years later (1988 AD), UNESCO recognized the Medieval Walled City of Rhodes as a World Heritage Site. Nearly two million tourists visit the city each year.

Architecture

With so many influences, you might expect the city to have the look and feel of something assembled by a committee, but the architecture is a delightful mosaic combining the best features of each culture.

Some of Rhodes' most famous landmarks include:

Map of Old Rhodes Town

A free, printable version of this map of Rhodes is available for download.

map of Old Rhodes Town, Greece showing sites of historic and cultural significance

Click to expand.

Old Rhodes Town: A Photo Gallery

Click on any image to expand it.

Two cats sitting in an cobblestoned alleyway in Old Rhodes TownsThe front entrance to the Muslim Library in Old Rhodes TownThe clock tower at RhodesTourists walking through the archway that makes up part of the D'Amboise Gate into the medieval walled city of RhodesTourists walking on the bridge over the moat at D'Amboise gate to Old Rhodes TownAn antique cannon poking out of a square opening in a stone wallTourists milling around the twin towers at the entrance to the Palace of the Grand MastersMain entrance to Rhodes' Palace of the Grand MastersDetails of the architecture of the round towers at the entrance to the Palace of the Grand MastersTourists shopping on a cobblestone street in front of an impressive pink mosqueMinaret of a mosque peaking above the tops of treesDetails of the top section of the clock tower in RhodesThe Rhodes clock tower surrounded with scaffolding during renovationsClose up of a marble statue on display in the Palace of the Grand MastersAbstract image of a stone stairway in the Palace of the Grand MastersSuit of armour with large axe-like weapon silhouetted against a cloudless skyTourists taking photos of other tourists who are sitting on a stone stairway in Hippocrates Square in Old Rhodes Town, GreeceView through a window looking out on the windmills and tower of St. Nicholas at Mandraki harbourView of the Aegean Sea through an arched opening in the stone walls surrounding Old Rhodes TownSuper yachts anchored near St. Paul's Gate at the Naillac Pier in the main harbour at RhodesVotsaloto mosaics (made with small white and dark blue pebbles) used to decorate a fountain and walkway with a nautical themeLush flower garden outside the walls of the Palace of the Grand MastersView of the hotels lining the beach on northern end of Rhodes as seen from the top of Monte Smith HillWoman dressed in a toga posing on the acropolis at sunsetColumns of the ancient acropolis of Rhodes silhouette against an orange sky at sunsetPeople enjoying the evening view near the two fallow deer statues highlighted against the pastel colours of the sky at sunsetCars, motorcycles, walkers, and jogger passing along a stretch of wall around Old Rhodes TownStatue of a Grand Master (sorry, I don't know which one) in a garden outside the Palace of the Grand Masters at RhodesEye painted onto the truck of a tree to ward off evil spiritsGrass and wildflowers growing between the steep stone walls of the moat at Old Rhodes TownTourist walking amongst trees with the Clock Tower in the backgroundEntrance to a small chapel tucked discretely into a stone wallBrass plaque marking the entrance to the S. Marina Church, dating it to the 14th centuryReligious paintings inside a small Greek Orthodox chapel on RhodesReligious paintings inside a small Greek Orthodox chapel on RhodesReligious paintings inside a small Greek Orthodox chapel on RhodesMetal decorations hanging inside a small Greek Orthodox chapel on RhodesCandle burning on an intricately carved wooden altar in a Greek chapelArched doorway in a stone wall marks the entrance into a small Greek chapelA gulet and three motor yachts anchored in Rhodes harbour with the town's famous walls in the backgroundCarvings above a doorway on the Street of Knights in RhodesCoats of arms carved into stone above a doorway on the Street of Knights in RhodesChapel inside the Palace of the Grand Masters in Old Rhodes TownBronze copy of Donatello's St. Nicholas of Bari in the Palace chapelIntricate mosaic pattern of heart shaped leaves on ivy form the floor in a room in the Palace of the Grand MastersThe arms of a row of chairs feature carved wooden head studies in the Palace of the Grand MastersIntricate coat of arms carved into the wall of the Palace of the Grand MastersTourists exploring the ancient sports stadium as seen from the top of the stone theatreTourists climbing down the steps of the stone theatre at the ancients sports stadium at RhodesCruise liner just off a tourist beach of turquoise water on the Greek island of RhodesGarden surrounding an old church in RhodesColourful Greek tavern / restaurant displaying 'recommended by Arkadaslik Yachting placard'Address plaque on a building on Canada Street in Old Rhodes townCrenelated walls of Old Rhodes TownCrenelated moat walls surrounding the Palace of the Grand MastersTourists walking in the moat surrounding the Old Town of Rhodes near the Palace of the Grand MastersTourists walking in the moat surrounding the Old Town of Rhodes near the Palace of the Grand MastersView of the rooftops of Rhodes when looking towards the commercial harbour from the top of the clock towerView over the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent from the top of the clock tower at RhodesOrange flowers growing on the top of the wall which separates the historic Knights' area and the commoners area of Old Rhodes TownBlue and white pebble mosaics forming a zigzag pattern on a walkwayRemains of the Church of Our Lady at RhodesRemains of the Church of Our Lady at RhodesTourists walking through the Virgin Mary's Gate; Naillac Tower can be seen in the distanceCourtyard of the New Hospital of the Knights of RhodesMarble grave marker of a lion eating a bull's head on display in the courtyard of the New Hospital in Old Rhodes TownMarble grave marker of a lion eating a bull's head on display in the courtyard of the New Hospital in Old Rhodes TownClose up of stone spheres (presumably used in catapults) stacked in the courtyard of the New HospitalIntricate archways and brickwork supporting the ceiling in a section of the New Hospital courtyardSmall, uncovered courtyard in the New Hospital at Rhodes decorated with mosaic floorDetails of the mosaic floor in a small, uncovered courtyard in the New Hospital at RhodesWooden altar in the Church of Our Lady of the CastleDetails of the ceiling arches in the Church of our Lady of the CastleThe interior of the Church of Our Lady of the Castle in Old Rhodes TownThe interior of the Church of Our Lady of the Castle in Old Rhodes TownArtefacts on display in the back courtyard of the Church of Our Lady of the CastleArtefacts on display in the back courtyard of the Church of Our Lady of the CastleMale and female deer statues flanking the entrance to Mandraki harbour at Old Rhodes TownClose up of a statue of a male fallow deerClose up of a statue of a female fallow deerThe acropolis of Rhodes covered by scaffolding during reconstructive and restorative workHotels and resorts at the north end of Rhodes as seen from the top of Monte Smith hillVisitors walking in front of three windmills at Mandraki harbour on a beautiful summer daySingle windmill against a cloudless blue skyGreek flag flying beside a row of windmills at Mandraki harbourCopper statue of four dolphins jumping out of the water displayed in the commercial harbour at RhodesUnadorned buildings line both sides of the Street of Knights, as viewed from the Palace of the Grand MastersCoat of arms for the knights from the Inn of FrancePedestrians and vehicles passing under the stone archway at Freedom Gate at RhodesTrees and bushes growing in the dry moat surrounding Rhodes townSign indicating ruins mark the Temple of AphroditeRuins of the Temple of AphroditeRuins of the Temple of AphroditeRuins of the Temple of Aphrodite in the foreground, the first hospital built on Rhodes in the backgroundPart of the first hospital built on Rhodes is now a museumTourists walking past a plain stone building in Old Rhodes TownTourists walking past a plain stone building in Old Rhodes TownPlain faced stone building overlooking a small fountain was originally built as a hospital by the Knights of RhodesPlain faced stone building overlooking a small fountain was originally built as a hospital by the Knights of RhodesTourists walking past shops in an old stone building in RhodesPeople walking in front of the plain-faced Church of Our Lady of the Castle in RhodesPeople wandering in a cobblestoned square ringed by shops and restaurants in Old Rhodes TownTwo-storied stone church with plain facade in front and a massive dome in the rearIron doors and shuttered windows face a long cobblestoned street in Old Rhodes TownIron doors and shuttered windows face a long cobblestoned street in Old Rhodes TownColourful souvenir shop with rainbow staircase displaying its wares outdoorsBougainvillea and palm trees covering a Byzantine era stone wall built to separate the Knights from the rest of the population in RhodesThe clock tower and minaret of the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent can be seen over a Byzantine era stone wallHippocrates SquareA bustling Greek town square with fountain, surrounded by bars, restaurants, and shopsShops lining a Greek town squareChurch ruins with three intact peaked arches over the apseRemaining wall of the three-domed Our Lady of the Burgh church in Old Rhodes TownTourists walking through the Gate of the Virgin at Old Rhodes Town, Naillac Tower can be seen in the distanceWalking path in the moat that surrounds the walled city of RhodesWalking path in the moat that surrounds the walled city of RhodesTourists walking under a stone bridge on the walkway around the Rhodes moatWildflowers grow along the walls of the Rhodes moatA jogger and dog walker approach a bridge over the walking path built in the moat at RhodesVisitors walk in the moat area around the inner wall of Old Rhodes TownPanorama of the inner walls of Old Rhodes Town as seen from inside the moat near D'Amboise GateVisitors walk in the moat area near the D'Amboise GateThree windmills at Mandraki harbour as seen from the seaPassing by the statues of the fallow deer when exiting Mandraki harbour