Rhodes — Knights' Hidden Conspiracy

Your journey in Rhodes begins at the Amboise Gate, erected in 1512 by Fabrizio del Carretto himself. Standing about 10 meters high, it marks the western entrance to the famous Street of the Knights. Named in honor of Emmanuel d'Amboise, Grand Master from 1503 to 1521, this gate symbolizes the fortification of Rhodes against the Ottomans, a vital task for the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Restored in the 20th century by the Italians during their occupation of the Dodecanese (1912-1947), it is the first witness to the challenges and restorations that have marked the Old Town of Rhodes, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988.

Continue your investigation along the Street of the Knights, a 600-meter-long main thoroughfare, paved with ancient marble and built in the 14th century. It connected the Order's main buildings from 1310 and lined the inns of the various tongues of the Knights, such as those of Auvergne or Provence. This main artery of the Medieval City of the Hospitaller Knights still bears the marks of the Ottoman occupation (1522-1912), with Turkish architectural additions blending into the Gothic style. It is a living testament to Rhodes' evolution through the centuries, where every stone tells a story of defense and coexistence.

Your path then leads you to the Palace of the Grand Masters, initially built in the 14th century as a fortress. Rebuilt between 1912 and 1930 by the Italians on its 14th-century foundations, it covers 4,000 m² and houses 40 rooms adorned with reused Byzantine frescoes and mosaics. This was the residence of the Grand Masters from 1310 to 1522 and the seat of Hospitaller power. Fortified after the Ottoman siege of 1480 by Pierre d'Aubusson, it represents the strategic heart of Rhodes' defense. Its presence dominates the landscape of Rhodes Old Town, recalling the Order's power.

The Italy Bastion, built in the 16th century by the Hospitallers and reinforced by the Italians between 1912 and 1947, is a key point in your journey. Measuring 30 meters thick, it was designed to withstand Ottoman artillery, demonstrating the military ingenuity of the era. An integral part of the UNESCO-listed ramparts since 1988, it offers a view of the port and Saint Nicholas Tower. This defensive structure is an example of the Order's commitment to protecting Rhodes, and an essential site for understanding the defense strategies of the Medieval City of the Hospitaller Knights.

Your investigation concludes at the del Carretto Bastion, built around 1510 by Fabrizio del Carretto, the last Grand Master before the fall of Rhodes in 1522. With a thickness of 25 meters and a spur shape for flank defense, it withstood Soliman's siege for 6 months in 1522. This bastion offers panoramic views of the port and the continuous ramparts, symbolizing Rhodes' resilience. By traversing these sites, from the Amboise Gate to this final bastion, you have explored the heritage of the Dodecanese, from impregnable fortifications to history-laden alleys, and understood the long chain of events that shaped this Greek island, a true monument of Mediterranean history.