Rhodes Grand Master Palace
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Location: Town
The Palace of the Grand Master, also known as Kastello, is located at the end of the Street of the Knights in the Old Town of Rhodes. Originally built on the foundations of the Temple of the Sun God (Helios), whose cult was much spread in Rhodes during antiquity, this palace was the residence of the governor and administrative center in the Medieval times. Constructed in the 14th century by the Knights of Saint John, it is distinguished for its spherical towers and the arched gate.
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The palace was enormous, featuring 158 rooms, although only 24 are open to visitors nowadays. The rooms have antique furniture from the 16th and 17th centuries, exquisite multi-colored marble, sculptures, carpets, and fine Oriental vases. On the first floor are the official rooms as well as the private quarters of the Grand Master. On the ground floor, the auxiliary rooms are found.
Top Tours and activities
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![Hop on Hop off Sightseeing Bus Tour 1]()
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Hop on Hop off Sightseeing Bus Tour
Book nowfrom € 15.00Category: City, Hop On Hop Off1 day MapExplore Rhodes' ancient city and its modern center with a hop-on hop-off bus ticket allowing you to visit all of the island's most important sites in just 1 hour.
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![Private Tour in The Jewish Quarter and Grand Masters Palace 1]()
![Private Tour in The Jewish Quarter and Grand Masters Palace 2]()
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Private Tour in The Jewish Quarter and Grand Masters Palace
Book nowfrom € 90.00Category: Walking, Private4 hours MapDiscover the secrets of Rhodes! Explore the Jewish and medieval heritage of Rhodes Old Town in an exclusive Medieval Rhodes & Jewish Quarter tour.
More about the Palace of the Grand Master
Other notable rooms include the Grand Reception Hall, where the Grand Master received his esteemed guests, the Armoury, which still houses a collection of medieval weaponry to this day, the Ballroom and the Music Room. The palace also features two large courtyards, where ceremonies and gatherings took place and a chapel, a place of worship characterized by its elegant design and stained-glass windows.
Of special significance are the frescoes by renowned artists, including P. Gaudenzi and F. Vellan, let alone the floors paved with mosaics of ancient Roman and Byzantine art. These mosaics were brought by the Italians from Kos, an island renowned for its impressive courtyards. In addition, the interior yard is adorned with many statues from the Greek and Roman period.
Unfortunately, this magnificent building was largely destroyed in 1856 by explosives, hidden in the basement of the church of Saint John. At the beginning of the 20th century, the palace was restored by the Italians who occupied the Dodecanese islands at that time. In the years that followed, it served as a holiday residence for the King of Italy Victor Emmanuel III and Benito Mussolini. Today, it belongs to the Greek State and hosts an interesting museum. Also, various exhibitions and performances frequently take place in the palace rooms.
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Reviews
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René Marquenie 10 Aug 2024Could have been so much better …
The visit to the castle was a bit disappointing. the hostesses helped completely with that. questions were answered snappily without any form of pride in a piece of history. If you visit a headquarters of the hospital knights you expect to hear something about that history or to be able to ask questions about it. None of that. You see a very small part of the castle. A lot of rooms (I think 75%) are closed off. If you ask something about it you get the snippy answer "the Italians". The only things that are described are the mosaics "stolen" by the Italians for the restoration, mainly from Kos. So what are you visiting? A beautiful castle and the use of this castle is completely left to your own imagination. If you see how much money the European Union has invested in it, you would expect more from a visit to a piece of world heritage. Rooms furnished as they were probably also in use (read a bedroom, throne room, library, reception rooms). Friendlier guides who WANT to tell something about the history of the island from BC to the present. you could offer an experience and unfortunately you offer so much less now. Too bad. 3 stars for the castle …
