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Rhodes Town
Rhodes Painting of Colossus |
Welcome to Rhodes Town!
The “palia poli” (the old city) is the medieval city of Rhodes (or Rhodos), surrounded by a high defensive wall. It is one of the few medieval cities still inhabited in its largest part, excluding its museums, of course. Walking along its cobbled streets one is reminded of iron-armored horse’s hooves clapping, and steel swords clashing and clanging.
The Italian Palace of the Grand Masters, rebuilt as a weekend resort for Italy’s dictator, Benito Mussolini, is not the most important of its buildings. The Street of the Knights; the Mosque of Suleiman; the Clock Tower; the Turkish Baths, built in 1765 and still in use; the Rhodes Archaeological Museum, built as a hospital by the Knights of St John in 1484; the old Jewish quarter and the square of the Hebrew Martyrs; the Palace of the Admirals, former residence of the Orthodox Archbishop of Rhodes; The Byzantine Museum, including a twelfth century Byzantine church in its yard (The Virgin Mary of Victory); the Decorative Arts Museum; the Ottoman Armory, and the Turkish Library are only a few of the many interesting sightseeing treasures to be seen.
Socrates Street, the main shopping street in the old town, is a shopper's paradise with jewelry, bags, clothes, pottery, embroidery, coats, and just about everything else one can think of.
When you are tired of going round in the Old Town, the New Town of Rhodes, just a short distance from the Old Town, awaits your exploration. This is where the beaches lie, and where hotels, shops, restaurants, discotheques, and even a casino, are packed together to create a lively ambience. It was developed during the 16th century, when Greeks were forbidden, under Turkish rule, to live within the walled Old Town. Most of the present day buildings date from the Italian occupation.
It has a cosmopolitan air and a splendid choice of boutiques, handcrafts, gold and silver jewelry, and pottery. Strangely enough, for an island so warm during most of the year, there are also dozens of shops selling fur coats and umbrellas! The area is simply renowned as an exciting international shopper's paradise. It is one of the most highly developed markets in Greece. The variety of goods and services offered is truly inexhaustible and will attract even the most conservative buyer.
Rhodes Clock Tower |
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Rhodes Castle of the Knights |
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Rhodes Commerce Court in Ancient Town |
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Rhodes Gate of Freedom |
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Rhodes Harbor |
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Rhodes Harbor |
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Rhodes Entrance to the Harbor |
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Rhodes Inside the Castle |
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Rhodes Hippocratous Square |
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Rhodes Mandraki Harbor |
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Rhodes Old Town |
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