Museums in Rhodes

Rhodes is one of the most beautiful islands in Greece, worldwide famous for its cultural and historical background through the ages. Traces of human presence are found from the Prehistoric times, although the island was greatly flourished during the Mycenaean period, according to the plethora of findings from the ancient cemeteries of Ialyssos and Kamiros. Ruled by the Knights, Rhodes became extremely powerful and one of the most fascinating places in Greece with medieval castles and strong fortresses.

Rhodes is home to some exquisite museums, the most important being the Archaeological Museum that provides a unique insight into the island's heritage. It is housed in the Medieval building and hosts an interesting selection of tombs from the Geometric, Archaic and Classical period. The exhibition is enriched with an extensive set of sculptures and mosaics from the Hellenistic times and a unique attraction are the ancient amphorae.

The Municipal Gallery of Rhodes focuses on a unique collection of 90 famous paintings from the 20th century and some engraving works. It is housed in a medieval building where many cultural events take place during the summer. On the edge of the New Town of Rhodes is found the Aquarium of Rhodes that showcases rare animal species from the Mediterranean sea.

The Archaeological Museum of Rhodes is housed in the Hospital of the Kings, one of the most important Medieval buildings. It consists of a large interior courtyard surrounded by a two-storey colonnade. The museums display a rich and very interesting collection from the Hellenistic period to the Early Christian times.

The Aquarium of Rhodes is found close to the center of the city. It is a research center for the animals that live in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located on the northernmost spot of the island.

The Municipal Art Gallery of Rhodes is located in the Medieval City, in a beautiful building on Simi Square. It houses a rich, interesting and beautiful collection of the most representative Greek painters of the 20th century (Fassianos, Maleas, Theophilos, Moralis, and others).

The Museum of Modern Art includes works of contemporary Greek and foreign painters who live permanently on Rhodes. It is housed in Medieval Town, Sokratous st 179.

The Jewish Museum of Rhodes was established in 1997 to depict the culture of the Jewish community of Rhodes, which was devastated in the Second World War. The museum is housed in the Kahal Shalom Synagogue, Old Town.

About 5 km from Rhodes Town, towards the airport, there is the Museum of Honey and the Natural History of the Bee. This unique museum was created by the Beekeeping Company of Dodecanese and presents the way that honey is produced.

The Stamatiadis Mineralogy and Paleontology Museum is the first of its kind, both in Rhodes and within the greater area of the Dodecanese. One of the main ideas governing the launching and hosting of this Museum has been the desire to extend the mineralogical and paleontological experience way beyond the strict field of acquaintance with specific areas traditionally yielding minerals as well as harboring fossils.

The Rhodes Toy museum is situated just outside the village of Archipoli. Nestled amongst olive groves, it is surrounded by mountains and pine forests. The museum was built with our stunning natural environment in mind, therefore it is completely powered by solar energy.