Rhodes was originally populated from Asia Minor before the Phoenicians came here around 2000 BC. 500 years later, the Minoans immigrated from Crete, and they founded the island’s first cities, Ialisos, Kamiros and Lindos. The city of Rhodes was established as the island’s overall capital in 408 BC, and in the 200s BC. the Colossus of Rhodes was built. Later, the Romans and the Order of St. John ruled, which left a big mark on the island and the city of Rhodes. Since 1948, the island has been part of Greece.

Today, Rhodes’ old town lies down towards the harbor and behind the impressive fortress walls that the Johannites built all around the city from 1309. The walls are beautifully preserved with many impressive city gates along the approx. four kilometers that the walls measure. Behind the walls, you will find the city’s many great sights in the exciting labyrinth of streets that make up the district, which is collectively included on UNESCO’s list of world cultural heritage as a unique medieval city.

Odós Ippotón Street is central to the city. It is one of the best-preserved medieval streets in Europe, and it leads from the old Hospital of the Johannites to the Grand Master’s Palace. Along the way, you can e.g. see the old inns that served as embassies for seven countries. The highlight is the Grand Master’s Palace, also known as Kastello. The Grand Master was the head of the Johanniter Order, and the palace was set up in the 14th century in what, before the order’s reconstruction, was a Byzantine fortress from the 6th century. Today, the palace is worth seeing both from the outside and on a visit, where you are easily transported to the times during the long reign of the Johannites on Rhodes.

The old hospital of the Johannites is an impressive building, which was built from 1440. Today it is set up as Rhodes’ archaeological museum, where you can see finds from both Rhodes and the surrounding islands. There are also other museums you can visit. One of them is Rhodes’ Jewish Museum, located in Dosiadou street in the La Juderia quarter, which was the city’s Jewish quarter for centuries. Here you can also see the Kahal Shalom synagogue from 1577. Behind the city walls you can also see the Suleiman Mosque, which was built during the island’s Ottoman era from 1522. Close to this is the city’s old bell tower with a fantastic view.

One of the major sights is the Acropolis of Rhodes, which lies west of the medieval city. Historically, a street connected the city’s harbor with the Acropolis, dating from the classical Greek era from 400-200 BC. There are several things to see in the excavated and partially reconstructed area. You can e.g. see the ruins of the site’s Temple of Apollo, and close by is the rebuilt Odeon, believed to have been used for musical performances and readings. The largest preserved building in the complex is the over 200 meter long stadium, which was the stage for athletic events.