Located at the end of the Street of the Knights, at the highest point of the medieval city, the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes is a 14th-century castle built by the Knights of Rhodes in the place of a 7th-century Byzantine fortress. It is a square building designed around a large courtyard with impressive towers, massive walls, and elaborate ailed decorative elements.
From the first quarter of the 14th century, the Knights of St. John (aka Knights Hospitaller), a Christian military organization who ruled the island from 1309 to 1522, made numerous significant modifications and converted the Byzantine citadel into an administrative center and the residence of the Grand Master.
The palace in 1844 Photo Credit
The main entrance Photo Credit
An exceptional example of Gothic architecture Photo Credit
Built in the early 14th century by the Knights of Rhodes Photo Credit
During medieval times, the palace served as an administrative center and residence of the Grand Masters Photo Credit
The Courtyard Photo Credit
Arcades at the courtyard Photo Credit
Cannons in the bastion on the West side of the Palace Photo Credit
From 1912 to 1947, the Italians made extensive restorations Photo CreditAfter the Ottomans had captured the island in the 16th century, the castle was used as a fortress and a command center. It remained unscathed until 1856 when an explosion of ammunition, stored in the basement of the nearby Church of St. John, almost destroyed the palace.
At the beginning of the 20th century, during the years of the Italian occupation of the Dodecanese Islands, extensive restoration work was carried out. Between 1937 and 1940, the Italian architect Vittorio Mesturino rebuilt the place and it became a holiday residence for King Victor Emmanuel III and later for the dictator Benito Mussolini.
The Chamber of the Nine Muses Photo Credit
The wooden ceiling of the Chamber of Colonnades Photo Credit
Left – Gothic portal Photo Credit Right – Sculpture of Virgin Mary Photo Credit
Choir stalls Photo Credit
The palace was converted into a museum by the Greek government Photo CreditIn the 1950s, when Rhodes was unified with Greece, the Greek government turned the palace into a museum. There are over 150 rooms inside, of which only 24 are open to visitors. Many of these rooms feature exhibitions which display the history of Rhodes and a rich collection of 16th and 17th-century jewels, handicrafts, weapons, books, and paintings.
The floors are decorated with mosaics of late Hellenistic, Roman and Early Christian times, excavated on the island of Kos (one of the most famous is the mosaic of Medusa from the 2nd Century BC.).
Only 24 of the 158 rooms inside the palace are open to visitors Photo Credit
The staircase to the upper floor Photo Credit
Byzantine mosaic from Kos Photo Credit
Medusa mosaic (2nd century BC) from Kos Photo CreditOn the ground floor, visitors can tour the Grand Reception Hall and the Music Room.
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There’s a large staircase which leads to the first floor, where various rooms can be found, such as the Hall of the Council and the Knights’ dining hall. Visitors can also glimpse inside the private chambers of the Grand Master, commonly known as Margaritae.
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