Medieval City of Rhodes you gotta go here
From 1309 to 1523, the Medieval City of Rhodes was occupied by the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. Later, it would come under the influence of Turks, and then Italian rule. Notable buildings in this city include the Great Hospital, the Street of the Knights and the Palace of the Grand Masters. All these buildings are found in the Upper Town which features an urban ensemble from the Gothic period. The Lower part of the town comprises of mosques, public baths and other buildings that date back to the Ottoman Era.
The city of Rhodes is a classic example of architectural ensemble from a significant period when the military hospital order that was founded during the crusades that survived under an obsessive fear of siege.
Throughout the Eastern Mediterranean basin, the fortifications of Rhodes became an example of impregnable walls.
The Frankish and Ottoman buildings in the old town of the city of Rhodes show some Dodecanese and Gothic influence. The historic buildings came under the risk of destruction in 1912 due to rapid urban development. This necessitated state protection in order to preserve the ancient heritage. The ensemble of the city includes; churches, gates, ramparts, mosques, monasteries, baths and palaces.
History
- 1309 to 1523 Rhodes – The city was occupied by the Knightly Order of St John of Jerusalem, who had lost their last stronghold in Palestine, St John of Acre, in 1291.
- After occupation - They proceeded to transform the island capital into a fortified city able to withstand sieges as terrible as those led by the Sultan of Egypt in 1444 and Mehmet II in 1480.
- 1522 - Rhodes finally fell in 1522 after a six-month siege carried out by Suleyman II, heading forces reportedly numbering 100,000 men.
Attractions in Rhodes
- Islamic mosques - Mosques of Soliman, Kavakli Mestchiti, Demirli Djami, Peial ed Din Djami, Abdul Djelil Djami, and Dolapli Mestchiti.
- A number of palaces and charitable foundations
- The Court of Commerce
- The Archbishop's Palace
- The Hospice of St John.
There are many other attractions in this historic city, but the above are the main draw to tourists. Whatever else you do in the Greece, make sure you visit this city. It might form the highlight of your Greece tour.
by Kennedy Runo on 05/01/2014 in Sightseeing