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Entering
the medieval town through the Gate of Freedom
,
near the
New Market (Mandraki), we come upon the Simis Sq. Here we will find
exposed sparse
remains of the Temple of Aphrodite. On the left is the Municipal Art Gallery
containing
works by famous Greek artists. Very close to the Gallery's
building there is the Museum of
Decorative Arts and the Inn of Auvergne.
It was used as a hostel by the Knights where those who spoke one of their eight tongues, in this case that of
Auvergne, were accommodated. A little further on the right is the beginning of the famous Street of the Knights ,
where we feel that it remained unattached by the passage of the 500 years since it was
first built (14th century). Here the Gothic order predominates. The Inns of the
various Tongues stand in a row, with impressive arched doorways
and important emblems carved above them.
Next, as we climb the
hill to the direction of the Palace of the Grand master
or the Castello as it is now
called, we arrive to the Collachium, the quarter of the Knights,. On
our right we will find the Inn of Italy and then the Inn of France, the
largest one. Still on the right, the next building is the Inn of Province, while on
the left is the Inn of Spain. In front of the Castello is the Loggia of St. John.
The Palace of the Grand Master, the most imposing building of
the medieval town of Rhodes, is at the end of the Street of the Knights. It was built
during the 14th
century, but was damaged and almost completely demolished in 1856 by an explosion of gunpowder
that was stored in its basement by the Turks. It was restored in 1939, during the Italian
occupation. During the restoration, any effort was made to follow the original
design. The Palace was intended by the fascist regime as a residence for the Italian King
Vittorio Emmanuele II or for Mussolini.
Following the Orfeos St. from the Castello towards
the south, we arrive at the clock - tower and the Mosque of Suleyman, before
entering the Socrates St., the
street that attracts most the visitors with its cafés,
restaurants and stores.
Following down the Socrates St. we arrive at Ippokratous Square,
a main attraction in Rhodes. Facing is the Court of Commerce, a fine, early
15th century building. Walking the Aristotles St., we come to a much
bigger square the Square of the Jewish Martyrs.
Our walk continues towards east, to the recently,
partially restored church of St. Pateleimon (15th century) and the
ruined church of Our Lady of Victory, which was built in the memory of the
victorious outcome of the Turkish siege in 1480.
On the left we will find the St. Catherines Gate.
We are now at the front of the commercial harbor, where
ferries and large cruise ships anchor.
We can return to Ippokratous Square, following the
walls walking along the Ermou St., as we come upon
the Museum Square.
On the front stands the Inn of England
and the Archaeological Museum
that is housed in the restored building of the Hospital of the Knights
(15th
century) .
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