- The Island of the Knights

Rhodes, the capital of the Dodecanese, is an island of contrasts. Thanks to its strategic position, Rhodes has been important since ancient times. The Old City of Rhodes is a maze of meandering streets lined with medieval buildings housing shops, boutiques, cafes and galleries. Outside the walls of the Old Town lies the "new" city, with its magnificent Venetian, neoclassic and modern buildings. Rhodes has been inhabited for more than 2400 years

Our ship docked at the pier just outside the walled Old Town so everything was within easy walking distance.

As you enter one of the largest medieval towns in Europe it soon becomes obvious that the Old Town of Rhodes is a mosaic of different cultures and civilizations. The fascinating medieval fortress-like buildings, the bastions, walls, gates, narrow alleys, minarets, old houses, fountains, tranquil and busy squares make it feel like you have stepped back into medieval times. The Palace of the Grand Master is certainly a highlight of the Old Town. The Palace, originally a Byzantine fortress built at the end of the 7th century A.D., was converted in the early 14th century by the Knights of the Order of Saint John into the residence of the Grand Master of the order and the administrative headquarters of their state; later it became the summer palace for Victor Emmanuel II of Italy and Mussolini.

The cobblestoned Street of the Knights, one of the best preserved medieval streets in Europe, is packed with medieval inns that used to play host to the soldiers of the Order of the Knights complete with the austere gateways to the inns still intact.

A bit of history.......

The ancient city of Rhodes, the construction of which began in 407 BC, was designed according to the city planning system devised by the greatest city planner of antiquity, Hippodamus of Miletus. Rhodes soon developed into one of the most important seafaring and trading centres in the Eastern Mediterranean. When it became a province of the Roman, and later the Byzantine Empire, it initially lost its ancient glory. But in 1309 the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem conquered Rhodes. They built strong fortifications to protect the island, turning it into an important administrative centre and a thriving multinational medieval city. In 1523 Rhodes was conquered by the Ottoman Turks, and the Greeks had to settle outside the city walls. During the Ottoman occupation, new buildings were erected within the Old Town, mainly mosques and baths. In 1912 Rhodes and the rest of the Dodecanese, were seized by the Italians. The new rulers embellished the city with magnificent buildings, wide roads and squares. The Palace of the Grand Master was rebuilt and the Street of the Knights was reconstructed in order to regain its medieval purity. It was not until 1948 that Rhodes officially became part of Greece. In 1988 the Medieval City of Rhodes was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Our tour today took us to the ancient city-state of Líndos a thirty mile drive taking in some glimpses of picturesque villages, sea vistas and splendid landscape. Lindos was an ancient Doric town that rose to power hundreds of years before the birth of Christ. In medieval times it was one of the three major towns of ancient Rhodes thanks to its great naval power. The remains of the acropolis of Líndos, a natural watchtower facing the open sea built on a steep rock 116 metres above sea level, bear eloquent witness to its long standing power and wealth. At the foot of the acropolis lies the traditional village of Líndos with its cubic whitewashed houses, mansions, Byzantine churches and narrow cobbled streets. By following a path through the village from the main square you can climb to the ancient acropolis, which is surrounded by well-preserved walls. Here you can see the remains of buildings from ancient times, the Byzantine era and the era of the Knights, such as the 4th century BC Doric temple of Athena Lindia, the Propylea, the large Hellenistic arcade, the Byzantine chapel of Ayios Ioannis and the fortifications of the Knights of Saint John including the remains of the Governors quarters. You can also enjoy astonishing views of Lindos town and the sea in Lindos Bay -an experience not to be missed during your visit on the island.

What an amazing day. Much of the joy of Rhodes is in simply wandering the scenic streets, admiring the ancient architecture or sampling the cafe culture at one of the multitude of cafes within the town.