Location
The Medieval Old Town of Rhodes
Welcome to the oldest inhabited medieval town in Europe. A town which invites you to get lost at is narrow streets and alleys and admire their intricate designs, made of black and white pebbles. Within the streets of the Old Town of Rhodes you will find an architectural amalgam Medieval and Ottoman buildings, Ottoman mosques and Byzantine or Gothic churches highlighting past civilizations that passed through Rhodes. Within that cultural mosaic, we chose to place our establishment so as to enable our guests to live and breathe the History within the fortifications.
The Walls and Entry Gates of the Old Town
In order to enter the Medieval Town or Rhodes you have to pass through one or more of the grand gates. Each gate leads to a scenic medieval street which we suggest you walk on and meet your wanderlust needs. Starting from the closest gate to April Luxury Suites, the gates you can visit are: St. Antony’s Gate and Gate of Amboise in just a short 3 minute walk from our establishment. St. Antony’s Gate, is the last part of the D’ Amboise Gate after the modification of the fortification design by the knights. Having admired the craftmanship, you can proceed for another two-minute walk to reach the Gate of D’ Amboise. This gate was named after the Grand Master Emery d’Amboise (1503-1512) under whose ruling the gate was built. Once there, take a break to look for the inscription above the arched entrance. Although the main gate to our premises is D’Amboise, you will also want to see the remaining gates. So be on the lookout for the Gate of the Canons, Virgin Mary’s Gate, the Gate of Agia Aikaterini (St. Catherine), the Gate of the Mole, Acandia Gate, the Gate of Agios Ioannis (St. John), the Gate of Agios Athanasios (St. Athanasius), Liberty Gate (Shipyard Gate), the Gate of Apostolos Pavlos (Paul the Apostle), Arnaldo Gate and of course, Marine Gate.
Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes
The Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, is a majestic medieval castle in the Old Town of Rhodes. Located no more than 200 meters away from APRIL luxury suites it is one of the first monuments you must see when in Rhodes. The palace is one of few examples of Gothic architecture that can be found in Greece. Its initial purpose was to act as a Byzantine citadel during the late 7th century. Following the occupation of Rhodes by the Knights in 1309, the fortress was converted to act as an administrative centre as well as the palace of their Grand Master. Going forward in time in 1522, the capture of the island by the Ottoman Empire took place, making the palace a command centre and fortress for their empire. During the Italian rule of Rhodes, it served as the summer retreat for the King of Italy and on the 10th of February 1947, the treaty of Peace with Italy stated that the Dodecanese Islands would be transferred to Greece leading all the way to today where the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes is a monument open for visitors.
The Street of the Knights
Probably the most famous and most photographed street in the Old Town. The Street of the Knights of Rhodes is a cobbled medieval street with 7 inns, representing the Knights of St John’s countries of origin. It is one of the most famous streets in the Old Town and a street you will want a take a photo and make a memory as it is preserved and lacks modern interventions. This is also the street you will walk on if you go from the Grand Palace to the Archeological museum and vice versa as these two sights are in the opposing end of the street
Medieval (Roloi) Clock Tower
The Medieval (Roloi) Clock Tower of the Old Town is located next to Mosque of Suleiman and it is a clock tower that dates back to 1852. As it is the highest building in the old city its highlight (besides its architecture) is the view it has to offer once you climb on top. It is said that it is the place to be if you want to see Rhodes from above.
Archaeological Museum of Rhodes
Another important sight in the Medieval City of Rhodes is the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes. The museum is housed in the monumental edifice that served as the hospital of the Knights of Saint John. The building was completed in the time of the Grand Master d’Aubusson, having started in 1440. Within the museum you can find various collections of archaeological artifacts, including the Statue of the Crouching Aphrodite and the Head of Helios. As there are a lot artifacts to see it is advised that you allow ample time. Lastly its gardens have been described as “.. a haven of tranquility”.
The Mosque of Suleiman
The Suleymaniye Mosque or the Mosque of Suleiman is another major monument worth visiting when in Rhodes. It was a mosque originally built during the Ottoman conquest of Rhodes in 1522 and reconstructed in 1808. It was named after the Sultan Suleiman to commemorate his conquest of Rhodes.
The Jewish Quarter
Another prominent location for you to visit is the Jewish Quarter. It is located at the southeast corner of Old Town and in its center you can find the square of the Jewish Martyrs (Plateia Evreon Martyron) with the famous fountain with the three seahorses and nearby you can visit the Holocust Memorial and the “Kahal Shalom” Synagogue.