The Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes is a medieval castle located in the Old Town of Rhodes, which has a rich history dating back to the 7th century. Originally built on the site of a Byzantine citadel, it became a crucial defensive structure and residence for the Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller after their arrival in 1309. After Rhodes became part of Greece in 1948, the palace was converted into a museum, showcasing its historical significance. The palace features a grand courtyard, intricate masonry, and various rooms adorned with mosaics and antique furnishings, reflecting its historical grandeur. The museum houses exhibitions of medieval artifacts, including weaponry, pottery, and sculptures, providing insights into the life of the Knights Hospitaller.
The Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes is a medieval castle built on the highest point of the medieval city in Rhodes and is located in the Old Town and dominates the city and the harbour. It played a major role in the defence of the city beginning in the 7th century when it was first constructed on the site of the Byzantine citadel of Rhodes and on the foundations of the Temple of the Sun God (Helios), whose cult was widespread in Rhodes in antiquity. The citadel’s strong fortifications were incorporated into a palace and administrative centre by the Order of the Knights of St John when they arrived in Rhodes in 1309, when it became the residence of the Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller and provided the last refuge for the population in the event of the city falling to the enemy.
The Order ruled Rhodes as an independent state for over two centuries, developing the palace and converting it into a fortress and administrative centre for their Master (who became known as the Grand Master from 1430). In 1481 the palace was damaged in an earthquake but was repaired by the brotherhood. Rhodes constituted the last Christian outpost in the east.
Due to the knights of the Order constantly attacking Muslim shipping, the Ottoman Turks under Suleiman the Magnificent laid siege to the island in 1522 with 100,000 men. The Order, with their 7,000 knights and men at arms, withstood the siege for six months until January 1, 1523, when they capitulated and sailed away, taking with them many of the citizens who chose to follow them. They then spent seven years as nomads until 1530 when the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (1500-1558) granted them the island of Malta.
During the time in Ottoman possession, the palace was used as a command centre and fortress. It was also used as a prison and remained so after it came under Italian control.
Over the years it was allowed to deteriorate and in 1856 considerable damage was done to the building when gunpowder stored in an adjacent church exploded due to a lightning strike. In 1912 the island was seized by Italy from the Turks during the Italian-Turkish war (1911-1912).
Between 1937 and 1940, during the period of Italian rule of Rhodes, the Italian architect Vittorio Mesturino carried out restoration to the damaged parts of the palace enabling it to become a holiday residence for the King of Italy, Victor Emmanuel III (r.1900-1946) and later for Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini (1883-1945). Mussolini carried out extensive restoration work and his name can still be seen on a large plaque near the entrance. These works mean that the rooms seen today are a reconstruction.
In 1948, Rhodes and the rest of the Dodecanese were transferred to Greece in accordance with the Paris Peace Treaties of 10 February 1947. The palace was then converted to a museum and is today one of the most popular tourist attractions of Rhodes.
Built around a courtyard 50 x 40 metres in size, the building is approximately 80 x 75 metres and features imposing facades, intricate masonry, and grand entrances.
The main entrance to the palace is located at the top of the Avenue of the Knights which leads from the harbour. Entry is gained through the south façade, which incorporates a gate with an imposing tower on each side.
Visitors enter into a courtyard which contains many statues both Greek and Roman, and an arched colonnade at first floor level.
Inside, visitors can explore vast halls adorned with mosaics, antique furnishings, and frescoes that reflect the historical grandeur of the knights' era. Over the centuries, the palace has endured earthquakes, sieges, and even a gunpowder explosion, but it has been meticulously restored, particularly during the Italian rule in the 20th century.
Today, the palace serves as a museum, offering exhibitions that showcase ancient artifacts and provide insights into the medieval way of life.
The palace has 158 rooms but only 24 are open to visitors. On the north side, there are underground rooms that served as storerooms, while the ground floor consists of many vaulted rooms of various sizes which were used as ancillary rooms. The official rooms were situated on the first floor, which was accessed by a monumental staircase.
On this floor are the private quarters of the Grand Master, which are among the most luxurious in the palace. They’re adorned with magnificent mosaic floors, depicting scenes from mythology and nature, such as the labours of Hercules. The walls are decorated with intricate frescoes and tapestries, adding a regal and historical touch. The furniture in these quarters is also quite lavish, with ornate wooden pieces and decorative elements that reflect the grandeur of the era. These rooms served not only as living spaces but also as a symbol of the Grand Master's authority and prestige.
This level contains many of the most significant and grand rooms of the palace, designed to impress and serve official purposes. The first floor was traditionally reserved for ceremonial and administrative functions, reflecting the palace's role as a centre of power.
The two main rooms are the Great Council Chamber, which is the room where the knights' council meetings were held to discuss important matters. It has a more functional design, with elements that emphasise authority. The Grand Reception Hall was used for formal ceremonies and receptions, showcasing the grandeur of the palace. With its Gothic architectural features, its decor includes intricate mosaics, and coats of arms.
This room shows cables connecting the columns to the walls. These are likely a structural reinforcement measure with the cables being installed to stabilise the structure and prevent the risk of deterioration.
The Knights' Dining Room was where the knights would gather for meals and discussions. Its atmosphere is enhanced by medieval decor, including large wooden tables, chandeliers, and tapestries that capture the essence of camaraderie and the knightly brotherhood.
The rooms contain furniture from the 16th and 17th century and statues from the Greek and Roman periods.
Many of the rooms contain mosaic floors of the late Hellenistic, Roman and early Christian times, most of which were brought from buildings on Kos.
This floor also contains oriental vases, statues, and furnishings from the palace’s past.
Displayed in one of the rooms is a marble statue of Laocoön, a figure from Greek and Roman mythology. Laocoön was a Trojan priest who warned his people against bringing the wooden horse into the city, suspecting it was a Greek trick: Unfortunately, his warnings were ignored. He and his two sons were killed by a sea serpents, sent by the gods, something that this statue depicts. This is in fact a replica; the original sculpture is in the Vatican Museums in Rome. The copy is believed to have been installed in the palace during the extensive restoration that occurred between 1937 – 1940 due to the fact that the original sculpture, was created by a Rhodian sculptor and is tied to the island's artistic heritage.
The Chapel in the palace is a simple room dedicated to St. John the Baptist.
The Armory holds a selection of the knights' weapons and armour and houses a collection of medieval weaponry.
In 1948, following restoration work during the Italian occupation in the 1930s, the Palace opened as a museum. It now serves as a showcase of medieval history, although the nearby Archaeological Museum of Rhodes is also worth a visit.
The Palace contains several exhibition rooms, showcasing a variety of artifacts from ancient and medieval times. Some of these are located on the first floor, especially where items related to the Knights Hospitaller are displayed, which are items used by the knights in their everyday lives. They offer a glimpse into the history and culture of medieval Rhodes and the dress of the knights. Although most of exhibition rooms are located on the ground floor.
The exhibitions include collections of pottery, sculptures, mosaics, coins, and other historical artifacts.
In 1988 the Medieval Old Town of Rhodes, which incorporates the Palace, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
To see more photographs and take a virtual tour of the site click on the photoshow below.
All Photographs were taken by and are copyright of Ron Gatepain
