Walking up the street of the Knights, at the top and to the right is the Grand Master’s Palace which also serves as the Byzantine Museum. Opposite the palace amongst the ruins from different historical periods, one can determine the ruins of the Catholic Church of St. John.
The Grand Masters Palace was built below the Acropolis of Ancient Rhodes where originally the Temple of the Sun God stood. In the same place, in the 7th century, there was also a Byzantine Palace, and then in the 14th century the Knights of St John built the palace as the residence of the Grand Master as an administrative center. It was destroyed in 1856 by a large explosion of gunpowder that was hidden in the basement of the of St John Church.
The Grand Masters Palace was then rebuilt according to the original drawings by the Italians in 1940. In 1988 it hosted the summit of the EEC. It occasionally holds exhibitions and major cultural events.
Address: Street of the Knights, Medieval City, Rhodes 851 00, Greece
2. The Archaeological Museum of Rhodes
The Hospital of the Knights was built in 1440 and completed by the Grand Master d’ Aubusson (1476 – 1503).
This monumental and bioclimaticly designed building now houses the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes, which exhibits archaeological finding from different parts of Rhodes and the surrounding islands.
Address: Street of the Knights, Medieval City, Rhodes 851 00, Greece
Telephone number: 22413 65257
3. Church of the Panagia Tou Kastrou
The original core of the building was probably built in the 11th century AD. After Rhodes was taken by the Knights of St. John and between the year 1319 and 1334 the Byzantine church was converted into a Gothic basilica. During the period of Othoman rule, this chrch was turned into a Muslim mosque (Enterum Cami).
Address: Apellou st, Medieval City, Rhodes 851 00, Greece
Telephone number: 22413 65256
4. The Decorative Arts Collection
Includes collections of paintings and engravings representing Greek art from the 20th century’s distinguished artists,numerous sculptures, drawings and documents. These collections describe the history of Greece over the last hundred years.
It includes organized exhibitions of 20th century Greek art from nationwide and international talent, innovative artistic inventions in nature, reports on prominent Greek and foreign artists, historical documents/reports and other visual arts of Dodecanesian origin. (http://mgamuseum.gr).
Address: G. Haritou Square, Hundred Palms, Rhodes 851 00, Greece
Phone Number: 22410 25780
Address: Symi Square, Medieval City, Rhodes 851 00, Greece
Telephone number: 22410 23766 and 22410 36646
Museum of Modern Greek Art- Syssitio
Address: Sokratous Street, Medieval City, Rhodes 851 00, Greece
Telephone number: 22410 36646
6. The Aquarium of Rhodes or Hydrobiological Station of Rhodes
Located on the Northern tip of the island it was built by the Italians in 1934. In 1937 it began working as a research unit called the Royal Institute of Marine Biology of Rhodes, (Reale Instituto di Ricerch Biogiche di Rodi).
Since 1947 following the incorporation of the Dodecanese to Greece it has operated under the supervision of the Academy of Athens as Hydrobiological Institute. Then since 1963 it has worked as a museum, aquarium and a scientific research unit for the Mediterranean.
Address: Kos Street, Rhodes 851 00, Greece
Telephone number: 22410 27308
Website: www.hcmr.gr
7. Hostel of St. Catherine (Hagia Aikaterini)
The Hospice of St. Catherine was built in 1391 – 92, under grand master Heredia, by the Italian Domenico d’ Allemagna, admiral of the Order of the Knights of St. John (Knights Hospitaller). The foundation charter of the Hospice in 1391 states that it was founded in the burgus of Rhodes, near the walls at the gate leading to the mole? already known as the Gate of St. Catherine from 1465. The situation of the building draws the eye, as it projects into the axis of the high street; the salient part carries the coats of arms of 1516.
The Hospice, exclusively intended for eminent guests of the Order, was already in use from 1394-95; at this date traveller Niccole de Martoni described it as beautiful and splendid, with many handsome rooms containing many and good beds.
In the hostel of St. Catherine operate exhibition areas which exposed the restoration work of the building, one bedroom representation of Knights era and ancient deserts from the surrounding area.
Address: Thiseos & Evreon Martyron, 851 00, Medieval Town, Rhodes
Telephone number: +30 22410 – 30960, +30 22413 – 65200
Free entrance
8. The Jewish Museum of Rhodes
The Jewish Museum of Rhodes opens for the first time in 1997. Aron Hasson ,attorney, from Los Angeles and Rhodian third generation, is the founder and the one who inspired the idea of creating a museum. He noticed the lack of awareness for the unique history of the Community of the local community and visitors to the island. So as a first step in October 1997, on his own initiative and funding, opened its doors to an exhibition with photographs in the space next to the Synagogue, where was the women’s section.
At the same time he founded the Foundation Rhodes Historical Foundation, a nonprofit organization that was used as a vehicle to promote this goal and started collecting photos, stories and material objects from Rhodians from abroad but also from various other sources from around the world as donations for the continuation of the purpose.
Also created a website to be a resource for people interested in the history of the Jews of Rhodes and those planning to travel to Rhodes. Gradually, the motivation and the economic contribution of the Community and individual donors Museum extended its area tripled and after repairs in 2006 reopened with renovated a number of interesting exhibits.
Address: Simmiou & Dossiadou str. Mediaval Town, next to the Synagogue Kahal Shalom in the same complex
Telephone number: 22410 22364
Website: www.jewishrhodes.org, www.rhodesjewishmuseum.org
9. The Bee Museum
This exceptional Museum of Apiculture and Natural History of Greece, offers to the visitors the chance to live a unique experience to see, the wonderful world of bees, through transparent observation hives, they can learn the tradition and history of beekeeping in Rhodes and the process of making honey.
Website: www.mel.gr
Free Entrance
Address: 1, Ipirou and Pindou, Rhodes 85100, Greece
Telephone number: 6979 252672
Telephone number: 22410 62205
12. Mineralogy and Paleontology Museum (Palychroni Stamatiadis)
This shows a collection of minerals and fossils from Greece and around the world. They include samples of Laurium, copper and lead minerals, rocks, petrified logs and fossilized plants. In separate displays you can find fossilized marine organisms from earlier times.
Telephone number: 22410 90201 and 6975 595865
Website: www.geomuseum.gr/
13. Artistic Village (Museum of Ceramic Art)
Artistic Village Contemporary Art is an art gallery & a Μuseum of Ceramic Art and has been operating since 1984 by Nikolas I. Simiakos. It lies on the eastern coast of the beautiful island of Rhodes, 23 kilometers outside Rhodes town. It is easily reached from anywhere in the town by taking the national road from Rhodes Town to Lindos. Rhodes Diagoras airport is only a 30 – minute drive from the Artistic Village, and Rhodes Town and the harbour are a similar distance away. You will find the Artistic Village between cosmopolitan Afandou and the tourist area of Kolymbia. The ample parking space, and the many outdoor relaxation areas in this beautiful and very pleasant environment, are only some of the facilities on offer to visitors to the Artistic Village.
In the welcoming 600 sq. metre art gallery, visitors will be able to see innovative art works, ornaments, sculptures, special designs and compositions made from clay, glass, wood, bronze, iron, aluminium and other materials. Artistic Village also includes a painting studio, a workshop of 200 sq.m. and an open Museum of Ceramic Art.
The Museum is an open exhibitional space located at the yard of Artistic Village. It’s the first museum where visitors can learn about pottery art from its beginning until today. In the Museum of Ceramic Art, visitors can first see the workshop, where the craftsman works on pottery. The workshop should have ample space so that the artist works in comfort and a potter’s wheel on the corner. Here you can also see the various kinds of clay that are used in Rhodes, as well as the tools, the kilns and how they were getting prepared to turn the mud into pot. The Museum also shows the strong connection between people and ceramics. The ceramic items are used in the entire journey of life, especially in Greece and Rhodes island. They are involved in the most important events in life and were largely used in household until a few decades ago, as can be understood from the exhibits of the Museum of Ceramic Art. Entrance is free.
Free Entrance
Address: 23º Km Rodou – Lindou Avenue, Rhodes 851 03, Greece
Telephone number: +30 22410 – 52038
Website:www.artisticvillage.gr