Rhodes, Greece
Registration Year
Registered Sector
Historical Function
Administrative Status
Mayor of Rhodes
Mr. Stathis Kousournas
News
Links
Photos
Location and site
Historical Reference
- In the 3rd century B.C. Rhodes constituted a major maritime power and an important centre of Hellenistic civilisation.
- At the time of the Crusades, it was a port of call for Christian ships.
- The Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem berthed there in 1306 when Rhodes was ruled by the Genoese. In 1291, the Knights had lost Rome's last remaining Holy Land bastion, the Fortress of Saint Jean d'Acre.
- The hospital and military order of Saint John of Jerusalem occupied Rhodes between 1309 and 1523. During this period, the city had a reputation for impregnability; the Knights defended it successfully against seiges by the Sultan of Egypt in 1444 and against Mehmet II in 1480.
- In 1522, however, following a long seige, they surrendered to Soleyman II; from then on, Rhodes was ruled by the Ottomans until 1912.
Urban Morphology
The upper city is made up mostly of rectilinear streets organized around a main artery. The lower city, which is much broader and irregular in shape, is crossed by arteries, streets and lanes that lead to small squares. A 4 km. long rampart dating to the early 14th century surrounds both parts of the city.
The density of monuments in the two parts of the city is impressive. The "collachium," or the upper city where the Knights resided, is the most monumental; it contains the Place of the Great Masters, the inns of the Knights and the hospital. The "borough," or lower city, is larger and contains, in addition to other buildings dating to the period of the Knights' occupation, Islamic monuments from the Turkish period, including mosques, a bath, and vaulted lanes.
Registration Criteria
The influence of the fortifications of Rhodes has been exerted on the eastern Mediterranean basin at the end of the Middle Ages. (II) Rhodes, one of the most beautiful urban ensembles of the Gothic era, illustrates the significant historical period where a military and hospital order of the time of the Crusades survived in the eastern Mediterranean. Its site and the presence of the famous Colossus (giant) at the entrance of the port add to its significance, as do its Islamic monuments. (VI) The dwellings, which are vulnerable, illustrate a combination of Dodecanese, Frankish and Ottoman influences. (V)
Contact
| Mr. Stathis Kousournas Mayor of Rhodes | Rhodes Town Hall Eleftherias Square 1 Rhodes, Dodecanese, Greece GR-85100 | Tel: +30.22410 46380 Fax: +30.22410 46323 Email: mayor@rhodes.gr |
| Mrs. Lee Minaidis Director | Department of International Relations City Hall Eleftherias Sq. 1 Rhodes, Dodecanese, Greece | Tel: +30 22413 61328 Fax: +30 22413 61316 Email: lee@rhodes.gr |
| Mr. Kyriakos Magos Architect | Office of the Medieval Town 4, Ippoton Street Rhodes, Dodecanese, Greece | Tel: ++30 22410 74 314 (int. 125) Fax: +30 22410 36 550 Email: magosk@gmail.com |
| Mr. Charalambos Lambridis Director | Office of the Medieval Town 4, Ippoton Street Rhodes, Dodecanese, Greece | Tel: +30 22410 74 314 Fax: +30 22410 36 550 Email: rho-med@otenet.gr |
| Architect Regina Economides Specialist in Monuments Restoration | Municipality of Rhodes Office for the Conservation of the Medieval Town 4 Ippoton Street Rhodes, Dodecanese, Greece | Tel: +3022410 74314,36580 Fax: Email: regeconomides@gmail.com |
| Mr. Nectarios Santorinios | Municipality of Rhodes Department of Programming & Documentation Kountouriotou Sq. 8 Rhodes, Dodecanese, Greece | Tel: +30.22410 43080 Fax: +30.22410 43084 Email: nectarsant@gmail.com |