City Orientation Walk

Transcription

1 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 1 - City Orientation Walk The city of Rhodes, capital of the eponymous island of Rhodes, the biggest island of the Dodecanese archipelago, went down in history a long time ago as the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, the Colossus of Rhodes. To find the place where the famous Colossus once stood, as well as to discover other notable sights of ancient Rhodes, follow this orientation walk. Guide Location: Greece» Rhodes # of Attractions: 17 Tour Duration: 3 hour(s) Travel Distance: 3.8 km Please note: This walk is also featured in the ios app "GPSmyCity: Walks and Articles with Offline Maps" on itunes App Store and the Android app "Rhodes Map and Walks" on Google Play. The apps provide GPS navigation to guide you from one tour stop to the next, so you will never be lost. The apps offer additional walking tours in Rhodes. Check them out! GPSmyCity offers self-guided walking tours in over 1,000 city around the world. Please visit gpsmycity.com for more walking tour offers. List of attractions included in this self-guided walking tour: A) Ippokratous Square B) Marine Gate C) Sokratous Street D) Medieval City E) Church of Our Lady of the Castle F) Street of The Knights (Ipoton Street) G) Archaeological Museum of Rhodes H) Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes I) Mosque of Suleiman J) Walls of the Medieval City of Rhodes K) Municipal Garden of Rhodes (Sound and Light Show) L) La Tour Saint Pierre M) Eleftherias (Freedom) Gate N) Main Post Office O) Old Town P) New Art Gallery (Museum of Modern Greek Art) Q) Aquarium Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 1 -

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4 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 4 - A) Ippokratous Square (must see) Ippokratous Square lies in the medieval walled city of Rhodes. In the center of the square stands an ornamental fountain, which, along with a grand staircase from the south west section, is the only remaining evidence of the Castellania, an important building constructed by the Knights Hospitaller in the 14th century. When you enter the Old City by the Marine Gate, you will find yourself in Ippokratous Square, which is a great place to begin exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The square is very popular with locals and tourists alike, who enjoy coffee, dining or drinks from one of the many alfresco cafes and bars that are scattered around its periphery. Stopping here to soak up the atmosphere at one of the cafes and to boost your energy for exploring the old city is a memorable experience. There are also a number of cultural and historic sites on Ippokratous Square, including the Castellania Library, which is a treasure trove of ancient books and documents. The library is housed in Epavlis Mansion and features a music department and exhibition space along with the library tomes. It is also at Ippokratous Square that Sokratous Street, one of the most popular commercial streets on the island, begins. Address: Ippokratous Square, Rhodes, Greece Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Clarence B) Marine Gate (must see) Marine Gate (also called St. Catherine s Gate or Sea Gate) is located south of Arnaldo Gate in front of the Commercial Harbor in Rhodes. It was erected by Grand Master Pierre d Aubusson in 1478 as a means of defense against possible Ottoman attacks. The relief above the entrance depicts the Virgin Mary, Saint John and Saint Peter. This impressive gate is a work of art. Address: Towers of Marine Gate, Rhodes, Greece Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Oren Rozen Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 4 -

5 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 5 - C) Sokratous Street (must see) Sokratous Street is the most popular shopping area in Old Town Rhodes. The street is packed with numerous shops and is popular with the tourists. The colorful, vibrant atmosphere of this shopping mecca attracts crowds every day. Address: Sokratous Street, Rhodes, Greece Image Courtesy of Flickr and Gkriniaris D) Medieval City (must see) Medieval City is just a new mixture of an old town with a new one. The town is assembled with architectural buildings in a Gothic style. There are a lot of mosques, public baths and other buildings that remind us about the reign of the Ottoman Empire. Address: Old Town, Rhodes, Greece Image Courtesy of Flickr and bazylek100 E) Church of Our Lady of the Castle (must see) The Church of Our Lady of the Castle is a Byzantine gem and one of Rhodes most popular attractions. Built sometime in the 11th century, it was used as the Orthodox Cathedral of Rhodes under Byzantine rule and the Latin Cathedral under the Franks. In addition to the Byzantine features, there are also some Gothic elements that were added at a later date. When the Ottomans took over Rhodes from the Knights, the church was converted into a mosque, but fortunately, the original design of the construction was maintained. During Ottoman rule, it was called the Enterum Mosque and the bell tower was converted into a minaret. During Byzantine times, the church was a single domed and one-aisled structure. It was later expanded, under the tutelage of the Knights of Hospitaller, and the noteworthy bell tower was added. In the 14th century, a monastery was added to the church grounds. Within the grounds of the Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 5 -

6 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 6 - church there are also the remains of a Doric Temple of Athena Polias this fascinating site features intricate carvings and should not be missed. The interior of the church has many frescoes and paintings that are hundreds of years old and which pertain to different eras of its patronage. Address: Church of Our Lady of the Castle, Rhodes, Greece Image Courtesy of Flickr and anna welch F) Street of The Knights (Ipoton Street) (must see) The Street of the Knights is located in upper Old Town. It is one of the most popular, famous and historical streets in this part of the city. It runs for about 600 meters, and it was where knights lived and worked in years past. It was well restored by the Italians in The street is straight, and tall buildings border either side. Knights used to live, pray and train in these buildings. The view of street is majestic and will transport you back to medieval times. Address: Ipoton Street, Rhodes, Greece Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Oren Rozen G) Archaeological Museum of Rhodes (must see) The Archaeological Museum of Rhodes is located within the Old City in one of the buildings formerly occupied by the Knights Hospitaller. The building dates from 1440, when it was constructed by the Grand Master D Aubusson. Rhodes has a long and fascinating history that stretches all the way back to classical times when the Colossus of Rhodes greeted visitors to the city. Here at the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes you will find many of the ancient artifacts that have been uncovered during excavations on the island. One of the best known items from the museum s collection is an amphora of Fikellura style dating from the 6th century B.C and featuring depictions of animals below the handles. An attic amphora shows the departure of a warrior, which reflects the constant conflicts of the period around the 6th century B.C. A grave stele of Krito and Timarista that has been dated to between 420 and 410 B.C shows two female figures wearing traditional clothing and embracing. A stone head of the god Helios, provides interesting information about Rhodes Hellenistic period. There are several Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 6 -

7 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 7 - rooms in the museum that are dedicated to specific sites on the island and feature fine statues and mosaics. Operation hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 8 am - 2:40 pm Address: Museum Square, Medieval Town, Rhodes, Greece Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Jorge Láscar H) Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes (must see) The Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes is a palace that was built in the 14th century by the Knights of Rhodes, who occupied Rhodes from 1309 to After the island was captured by the Ottoman Empire, the palace was used as a fortress. The original palace was largely destroyed by an ammunition explosion in When the Kingdom of Italy occupied Rhodes in 1912, the Italians rebuilt the palace in a grandiose pseudo-medieval style as a holiday residence for Victor Emmanuel III of Italy and later for Benito Mussolini, whose name can still be seen on a large plaque near the entrance. On February 10, 1947, the Treaty of Peace with Italy, one of the Paris Peace Treaties, determined that the recently-established Italian Republic would transfer the Dodecanese to the Kingdom of Greece. In 1948, Rhodes and the rest of the Dodecanese were transferred as previously agreed. The Greeks converted the palace to a museum. Address: Ippoton str., Rhodes, Greece Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Adam Carr. Sight description based on wikipedia I) Mosque of Suleiman The Mosque of Suleiman in Rhodes is an immense pink-colored mosque that was built by the sultan in 1522 to celebrate the victory of the Turkish over the Knights Hospitallers. The Knights had established themselves in Rhodes in 1307 and their possession of the island was confirmed by Pope Clement V in The newly crowned Ottoman sultan Suleilman, however, led naval attacks on Rhodes and the vastly outnumbered Knights fled, taking only what they could carry. As many conquerors are wont to do, this huge religious site was built over the remains of the destroyed Christian Church of the Apostles and it is the largest of all the mosques in Rhodes. Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 7 -

8 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 8 - The building was re-constructed in 1808, following damage, and its striking minaret sadly had to be removed in 1989, as it was deemed unsafe. However, to this day the rose colored stone exterior and classic Ottoman style is striking and adds significantly to the ambiance of the Old City. The Mosque of Suleiman remains one of the major landmarks of the city of Rhodes. Although it is currently closed to visitors, pending restoration, you can appreciate its design from the street. The mosque is conveniently located right across from the old Turkish Bazaar. Address: Mosque of Suleiman, Rhodes, Greece Image Courtesy of Flickr and Ron McWhorter J) Walls of the Medieval City of Rhodes The Medieval City of Rhodes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is internationally recognized for its abundance of Byzantine, Crusade and Ottoman architecture and history. The medieval city is surrounded by a 4 kilometer fortified wall that covers a surface area of 8,611,128 square feet and was built to protect Rhodes from attack by sieging foreign empires and corsairs who sailed the water of the Mediterranean and Aegean during the Middle Ages. The old city was fortified under the Knights Hospitallers who occupied Rhodes between 1309 and The massive city walls were long considered to be impenetrable, but they finally yielded to the Ottoman Turks at the beginning of the 16th century. Along the wall, there are several bastions and towers that can be visited. Each of them includes fascinating features and brings Rhodes ancient military history to life for the visitor. You are able to enter the Old City through one of the eleven gatehouses along the walls. There are cat walks and ramparts along the top of the city walls that were used by sentries keeping guard over the city and for defense during attack. There is an entry fee, but you can climb up into several of the towers and walk along the walls, all the while imagining you are a medieval knight. Address: Walls of the Medieval City, Rhodes, Greece Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Piotrus Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 8 -

9 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 9 - K) Municipal Garden of Rhodes (Sound and Light Show) (must see) The Sound and Light Show in the Municipal Garden of Rhodes is one of the island s most popular tourist attractions. It is a one of a kind event in Greece and provides an excellent introduction to Rhodes colorful history. The event combines drama, light and sound to produce a show that is of great educational and entertainment value for all the family. There are ancient myths and legends relating to Rhodes that are included in the spectacle along with recreations of some of the most dramatic historic events on the island, including sieges by the Ottoman Turks against the Knights Hospitaller. Along with important historic periods, several Rhodes landmarks tend to feature heavily in the performance; among them, the Palace of the Grand Master and the Tower of Suleiman. The event does not run all throughout the year, but tends to be held from May to October each year, during the warmer months. It has been held annually since 1961 and has continued to grow in atmosphere and spectacle, as well as popularity, throughout the years. The venue has been renovated by the local government in recent years and it is shown in five different languages. Address: Municipal Garden of Rhodes Town, Rhodes, Greece Image Courtesy of Flickr and sisaphus L) La Tour Saint Pierre La Tour St. Pierre is located near Eleftherias (Freedom) Gate in Rhodes. It is one of many medieval towers that were meant to protect the town from enemies. The edifice was constructed by Grand Master Zacosta in Address: La Tour Saint Pierre, Rhodes, Greece Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Piotrus Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 9 -

10 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 10 - M) Eleftherias (Freedom) Gate (must see) Eleftherias Gate is located in front of Simi Square and is one of the most popular gates among visitors of the city. This gate connects the medieval part of town with Mandraki Harbor. The gate was created after WWII by the Italians, who considered themselves as liberators of Rhodes. The Italians named the structure Freedom Gate. Address: Eleftherias (Freedom) Gate, Rhodes, Greece Image Courtesy of Flickr and Melinda Mária Orbán N) Main Post Office The Main Post Office in Rhodes is a stunning building located in Liberty Square, known locally as Plateia Eleftherias, in the modern city. It may not be one of the oldest constructions on the island, but its impressive Renaissance Eclecticism architectural style is nonetheless beautiful and worthwhile visiting. The Main Post Office was built during the first years of the Italian reign over the island, between 1912 and The post office was designed by Italian architect Florestano di Fausto. It has always maintained its function as the principal post office on the island, initially, under the Italian and, more recently, under the Greek postal service. The façade is highly stylized and features impressive carvings and engravings into the local poros stone. Above the grand entrance there is an emblem of the god of sun and there are entrances to either side. The Main Post Office, like many of the buildings constructed during Italian sovereignty, were deliberately opulent in order to emphasize the superiority of the Italian reign, as well as to attract tourists to the new part of the city of Rhodes. The Main Post Office is open daily between 8:30am and 2:30pm. Address: Main Post Office, Rhodes, Greece Image Courtesy of Flickr and George Tasioulis Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 10 -

11 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 11 - O) Old Town The Old Town of Rhodes is the oldest medieval town in Europe. There are about 200 streets in the Old Town of Rhodes, and no one has a name. So if you get lost on the streets of Rhodes just ask how you can get to Sokratous. It may be considered as the main street of the Old Town of Rhodes. Address: Kisthiniou 15, Old Town, Rhodes Image Courtesy of Flickr and David Spencer P) New Art Gallery (Museum of Modern Greek Art) The New Art Gallery is a part of the Museum of Modern Greek Art in Rhodes. The gallery is located on Gavriil Charitou Square in Rhodes. The gallery building was donated by Ioannis and Paola Nestoridis, and the museum moved a part of its permanent collection to this new venue. Address: G. Charitou Square, Rhodes, 85100, Greece Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Jkelly Q) Aquarium (must see) The Aquarium on Rhodes is located towards the north of the island and was constructed in the 1930s under the patronage of the Italians. Initially it was developed as a hydrobiological station; however since 1963 it has operated as both a scientific facility and as a museum and educational facility open to the public. These days it is under the supervision of the National Center for Marine Research and focuses its attention on oceanography, fisheries and the inland waters around Rhodes and the Dodecanese Islands amid the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. As a visitor you have the chance to see living species, among them many endangered creatures that have been rescued from local waters for rehabilitation. There are also many taxidermy displays of marine animals that are used for educational purposes. The aquarium is located in the basement area of the hydrobiological station and among the favorite sea creatures that visitors can see are coral, sea flowers, octopi, turtles, sharks, Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 11 -

12 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 12 - toothed whales, seals and many fish that are indigenous to the Eastern Mediterranean. The resident marine creatures at the aquarium occupy around 40 tanks in tens of thousands of liters of water. It is open every day of the year except Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday. Address: Cos str., Rhodes, 85100, Greece Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Min's Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 12 -