Description of the attraction
The capital of the picturesque Greek island of Rhodes is home to the famous Palace of the Grand Masters. Today this magnificent medieval structure is the main attraction of Rhodes and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Palace of the Grand Masters was built in the 14th century by the Knights of the Order of St. John, who ruled the island for over 200 years (from 1309 to 1522). In ancient times, the temple of the god Helios was located here, and later a Byzantine fortress, on the foundation of which a magnificent palace was actually erected. The island of Rhodes became the official seat of the Order of St. John, and the palace became the seat of the Grand Masters. After Rhodes was occupied by the Ottoman Empire, the palace was used as a fortress.
In 1856, as a result of an explosion of ammunition, the magnificent medieval structure was badly damaged. After the occupation of the island by the Italians in 1922, the palace was restored, preserving its original style as much as possible, and was used as the residence of Victor Emmanuel III, and later Benito Mussolini. After Rhodes (along with other islands of the Dodecanese archipelago) was officially transferred to Greece, the Palace of the Grand Masters was transformed into a museum. In total, there are about 160 different rooms in the palace, but only some of them are accessible to the public. The interior of the castle and its decoration amaze with their splendor.
Today the Palace of the Grand Masters is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Rhodes. It also hosts exhibitions, various cultural events and houses the magnificent Byzantine Museum.
Reviews
| All reviews 0 Broken angel 2015-09-04 15:51:25
I advise everyone to visit the palace! A very interesting place! Much has been preserved in excellent condition! An extraordinary place with a magical atmosphere!
