Discover Rhodes: Medieval City and Ancient Acropolis

The Medieval City and Its Fortifications

The medieval city lies within a four-kilometre-long wall. The Upper Town is in the north, while the Lower Town extends to the south and southwest. This division gives you a clear sense of the area. In the Lower Town, Gothic architecture stands alongside mosques, public baths, and other buildings from the Ottoman period. The walled city as a whole is characterised by late Gothic architecture of Western European influence from the Knights’ period, 1309 to 1522, complemented by local Aegean elements. This makes it possible to distinguish the architectural character of the city as a whole from the particular variety of the Lower Town.

The fortifications of Rhodes influenced the entire eastern Mediterranean at the end of the Middle Ages. The Street of the Knights is also one of the medieval city’s significant architectural monuments. If you are interested in the defensive structures, a 1,100-metre route along the walls offers a distinct perspective on this historic setting. It begins at the Kanonia Gate and ends at St. John’s Gate, also called the Koskinou Gate. Along the way, there are wide-ranging views of the medieval city. The Archaeological Service sets the admission price and schedule; both may vary. Check the details before your visit.

The medieval moat is 2,300 metres long and reaches a width of 70 metres in places. Length and width describe two different dimensions of the fortification: the extent of the moat and its greatest local width. Together with the route along the wall, these measurements add concrete scale to the architectural perspective on the city’s defences.

Museums, Collections, and Mosaics

The upper floor of the Palace of the Grand Master displays mosaic floors from monuments on Kos, as well as medieval furniture. Exhibition details may change, so check the latest information before your trip. The Archaeological Museum of Rhodes is housed in the medieval building of the Knights’ Hospital. Its main exhibition includes finds from Ialissos and Kamiros, as well as a collection of statues; overall, the museum displays archaeological finds from various parts of Rhodes and the surrounding islands.

Another exhibition space within the Archaeological Museum is the historic courtyard, where mosaic floors from Hellenistic villas are on display. For planning purposes, it is helpful to distinguish between the exhibits: alongside the mosaic floors, the Palace of the Grand Master displays medieval furniture, while the Archaeological Museum brings together finds, statues, and the mosaics in the courtyard. Check the latest museum information about the exhibitions before your visit.

The Ancient Acropolis and Its Landscape

The ancient Acropolis of Rhodes rises on a hilltop. Among the ruins, a few columns of the Temple of Pythian Apollo still stand; further archaeological remains are preserved throughout the archaeological park. Myrtle, laurel, oak, pine, and cypress trees grow in the Acropolis area. Both architectural remains and varied tree cover are therefore part of the site’s character. If you would like to consider the landscape as well as the architecture of the ancient site, this combination offers a distinct focus for your travel plans.

A small marble theatre is located beside the Stadium of Diagoras. Music and theatre performances are held there today. If you would like to plan a visit to a performance, check the specific dates and access arrangements in advance. This lets you consider the venue as a separate point of interest alongside the historic city buildings, museum collections, and archaeological remains.

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