They say Rhodes was established in the 16th century B.C. by the Minoans, then invaded in the 15th century B.C. by the Mycenaean Greeks. According to mythology, the island was born of the union of Helios, the sun god, and the nymph, Rodos.
The city we saw today was medieval, with narrow winding walkways, arches, and high walls. We saw two places where ancient ruins were uncovered by construction or excavation, but it didn't appear that serious excavations of ancient civilizations have been done.
We did a walking tour of the old Town and The Palace of the Grand Masters, enjoying the medieval architecture. The entire Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
View from the ship
Palace of the Grand Masters in the distance.
This was actually a windmill. The blades have been removed.
Ancient ruins beneath the medieval city waiting to be excavated.
Minaret. Rhodes was captured by the Ottoman Empire in 1522 and there are several mosques in the city.
According to our guide, these were catapult ammunition.
Many, many cats live in Rhodes. The humans were feeding them everywhere I turned.
The streets were paved with pebbles and we saw many mosaics.
The Square of Jewish Martyrs, also known as Sea Horse Square, is in the heart of the Jewish Quarter. There is rich Jewish history on Rhodes and their presence has been noted since the 2nd century B.C. Tragically, over one thousand Jews were deported to Auschwitz where they died during the Holocaust. A small Jewish community remains in Rhodes today.
Hippocrates Square. This fountain and the grand staircase are all that remains of Castellania, an important building constructed by the Knights Hospitaller in the 14th century.
The road from Hippocrates Square up to the Palace
Crest with a sword and rose. Rhodes is pronounced "Rodos" and means rose.
Crest with three fasces, bundles of sticks. A Roman sign of strength and power.
Palace of The Grand Masters. This imposing structure sits on the spot believed to be once occupied by a temple to Helios and the probable location of the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World.
A 7th century Byzantine Citadel stood here, then in the 14th century the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem conquered the island and this became their headquarters.
There was an earthquake in 1481, then the Ottomans captured the island in 1522. In 1856 the nearby Church of St. John was struck by lightening, exploding a forgotten magazine of gunpowder. The explosion destroyed much of the city, including the Palace.
It was restored in 1937-1940 by Italians who controlled the property until it was transferred back to Greece in 1948.
As beautiful and magnificent as this Palace is, I had to keep in mind it is a restoration and no attempt was made to replicate the original structure.
The many beautiful floor mosaics were brought from Kos and taken from ancient Hellenistic and Roman ruins found there.
Replica of The Laocoon Group. The original is in the Vatican museums in Rome.
Crest of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem
Moss growing on the wall
The Old Muslim school sits atop the ruins of the Church of St John of the Collachium. The church was destroyed in the explosion of 1856. It was used for burials of the Grand Masters and is just outside the gates.
Beautiful architecture and scenery
Old municipal baths (Turkish Baths). 17th century Byzantine Building.
Ancient ruins uncovered by construction
Back on board, enjoying our meal
Coffee and Prince's Cake in the Explorer's Lounge
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