Medieval Rhodes

This trip is a unique chance to get acquainted with two historical towns, from ancient times to the present day. The trip will start with a visit to the Acropolis of ancient Ialysos, situated on top of Filerimos hill. Here, you will find an amazing combination of antiquity and the middle ages, as well as catholic and orthodox churches. The tour will then continue in the Old Town of Rhodes’ capital. As you stroll around the narrow streets, you will find yourself in a completely different epoch. Most importantly, you will see the medieval town in both daylight and under the glow of night lamps.

FILERIMOS HILL

The history of the three main ancient cities of Rhodes Island starts exactly from here. Filerimos is an open book where the history of Rhodes can be read. And it’s truly so! The Athena Pallada temple, the first early-Christian church with a baptismal font, the Bithynian temple, the catholic monastery of the Ionian knights, the church of George the Dragon-Slayer built in the middle ages, and the most precious for all Greeks, the early Christian three-aisled basilica dedicated to Virgin Mary. The church is well known for housing the icon of the Virgin of Filerimos. Attributed to St. Luke the Evangelist, the icon is considered to have been written during Virgin Maria’s lifetime. Here our guide will tell you amazing true facts about the monks’ life. Leaving Filerimos, you will try a unique liquor created by a monk as an elixir of life. During your free time, you can walk along the cypress alley directly to the 18 m cross. This point of the hill affords you a breathtaking panoramic view of the island.

OLD TOWN

Find yourself in front of D’Amboise gate and from the first moments, you will feel the majesty and power of this citadel-town. Impressive walls with wide loopholes, moats, wells, cobblestone streets – all these will be revealed to you. Together with our guide’s fascinating tale, it will intensify your perception of the middle ages spirit. In search of one of the wonders of the world, you will be led to the town central square where the Palace of the Grand Master is situated nowadays. Strolling along the Street of the Knights, you will get acquainted with interesting facts about the Order of St. John the Baptist’s life: membership of the Order and hierarchical ranking, its statutory activity and mission, its victories and its fall. We will finish our knights’ part of the old town tour at the old hospital walls. During your free time, you will get an opportunity to plunge into the atmosphere of the old town’s everyday life.