Tuesday, April 18, 2023 – Day 118
Truett of the Palace of the Grand Master.
Rhodes, Greece is the oldest inhabited medieval city in Europe. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, as one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. Said to have been the home of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Colossus of Rhodes, a bronze statue the size of the Empire State Building once stood here. Trivia question, do you know what the only remaining wonder of the ancient world is? Keep reading for the answer…
Sailing into Rhodes, Greece, a Medieval walled city.
Walking from the ship to the entrance to the old town. Greek mythology often mentions dolphins and they are common visitor to this area.
Just inside the city gate our guide, Maria, is showing us a map of the old town. Maria was excellent guide; friendly, funny and oh so knowledgeable. She could have come straight out of a certain Greek wedding comedy with the number of times she told us that an English word was derived from a Greek word and then telling us “See, you speak Greek!” She was being serious, and accurate so I didn’t laugh out loud, but I was chuckling on the inside!
A stately lion guarding a church as we passed by.
A peek down a residential side street in the old town. Still today about 6,000 people live within the walls of the old town, not all are happy to have tourists wandering their streets.
The sign says, “Refugees Welcome, Tourists Go Home”
Lots of seismic activity in this area so the builders employed arches help to stabilize the beautiful stone buildings.
Memorial to Jewish and other citizens who perished concentration camps during WWII.
Rhodes has been occupied by many different empires since before the Bronze Age (16th Century BC). There is a long history of displaced people groups scattering to other countries in search of safety. During WWII dissidents and people of the Jewish faith were forced to leave for concentration camps. In July of 1944, 1,600 Jewish residents were sent to Auschwitz. Of these, 150 survived, most did not return to Rhodes. Today only about 30 descendants of these people remain here.
Ruins are being excavated even as people continue here. Only residents are allowed to drive motorized vehicles within the city walls.
Street of the Knights leading to the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes. Although a bit hard to walk on for long distances, the streets paved with river rocks are very pretty.
In some places, intricate designs are made as the stones are laid in the street.
At the end of the Byzantine era, 1306–1310, Rhodes was occupied by the crusading Knights Hospitaller – the order of Saint John. The city was rebuilt after a devastating earthquake and during this same period the Palace of the Grand Master was built.
Entering the grounds of the Palace
Courtyard of the Palace of the Grand Master
Staircase of the courtyard. Reminds me of a similar, more ornate, set of courtyard steps at the Bargello Museum in Florence, Italy.
The inside of the Palace has been carefully restored. Beautiful marble mosaic inlays on the floors. Many of the mosaics were removed and taken elsewhere to be reinstalled in Roman and Arabian buildings.
It was difficult to get a good picture of the chandeliers in the Palace, but many are made of Merano glass from Italy. They’ve all been ‘electrified’ but would have been lit with candles when installed.
Perhaps this Greek pattern, here a floor mosaic, which often appears in clothing, pottery, etc. is familiar to you. Typically, in blue and white, as it is here. I had not noticed before, but our guide pointed out, that the ancient swastika is central to this pattern. Representing wellbeing, prosperity and good luck in the ancient world.
The uniforms on display are from the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. This Order was originally the Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta. This is the Order that built the Palace of the Grand Master.
One of the occupiers of Rhodes, before it gained its independence 1948, was Italy. During this time the Palace was used as a vacation home of the Italian King and latter a headquarters for Mussolini.
Neither of us is much interested in shopping, but we did enjoy looking at the very quaint shops and cafes that line the streets of the old town. Rhodes really is charming. We’d come back here again!
One of the disadvantages of traveling the way we are is that we only get to ‘sample’ the places we visit. Because time is limited, each location tour typically highlights its historic sites. We typically pass through the current modern cities without stopping. We are so very thankful to have this opportunity to travel, but we do long to explore in more depth.
Jeff says he is getting a bit tired of looking at ‘old stuff’. I think I need to be worried as I fit that description! Lucky for him I really like looking at old stuff! I truly love thinking of whose footsteps I’m walking in and picturing an ancient ruin bustling with the everyday lives of those who lived so long ago.
Walking down Knights Street are many active offices and historic consulates. Jeff found the Institute of the Law of the Sea to feed his maritime interest.
Walking back along the city wall we could see the ship that we’ve called home for 118 days. Indeed, as we reboard the ship each evening, the staff welcomes us ‘back home’. So many of the staff and fellow passengers know one another by name that it does feel like we belong together (maybe with a few exceptions, but that’s a whole ‘nother blog post!) We do love our floating home-away-from-home but are looking forward to getting back to our actual home!
As we leave Rhodes, God has prepared another masterpiece of a sunset for us to enjoy.
Sailing past the twin stags at the entrance to the old harbor of Rhodes. According to some myths, the Colossus of Rhodes was to have stood over this harbor entrance. But they now believe it stood outside the Palace of the Grand Master.
Farewell Rhodes. We hope to see you again!
Trivia Answer: The only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World is the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt.
In case you are curious, here is the list of the ancient Seven Wonders…1. Hanging Gardens of Babylon, 2. Statue of Zeus at Olympia, 3. Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, 4. Temple of Artemis, 5. Lighthouse of Alexandria, 6. Colossus of Rhodes and 7. The Great Pyramid of Giza