Palace of the Grand Master

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Palace of the Grand Master

A visit to the Palace of the Grand Master on Rhodes reveals a treasure trove of antiquities and you can learn all about the Knights of St John.

Situated at the end of the 200 metre Street of The Knights, the palace was constructed in the 14th century when the Grand Master was Hélion de Villeneuve.

The palace was built over the site of a Byzantine Fortress and was important for defence during the Medieval period. Shaped around a central courtyard,
it is an imposing construction that hosts a museum and exhibition centre on the ground floor.

Permanent exhibitions are ‘Ancient Rhodes’ showing the history of the founding of the city and ‘Rhodes from the Early Christian Period to the Turkish Conquest’.
This latter exhibition is fascinating with insights into the daily lives of the residents of Rhodes.

The Knights Dining Hall, the Hall of the Council and the private quarters of the Grand Master are on the first floor. These were restored during the Italian occupation.
There are also some remarkable floor mosaics that were originally from the island of Kos.

Guided tours are available or you can wander around this truly historic building by yourself.

The Palace of the Grand Master is at the heart of Rhodes Old Town. It is 16 kilometres from the airport and is surrounded by many other historic buildings.

On certain days you can walk around the walls of the Old Town.