Att besöka borgen i Rhodos stad - Palace of Grand Master of Knights

What is it like to visit the castle in Rhodes Town? The Palace of Grand Master of Knights is an incredibly impressive building, located in the centre of the charming old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Rhodes Town - a Unesco World Heritage Site

Rhodes Town is the capital of the island of Rhodes in Greece. The old part of the city, the Old Town, is so well preserved that it has been included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Several mighty gates lead through the massive city walls, and inside it feels like you are transported to a completely different era, or well, it requires you to think away from all the tourists in modern summer clothes then.

Rhodes Town is located at the northern end of the island of Rhodes, which is part of the Greek so-called Tolv Islands.

Visiting the castle in Rhodes Town

The most impressive sight in the Old Town of Rhodes Town is the castle, which is named Palace of Grand Master of Nights. This is a popular attraction and we had to queue for a few minutes to get in, in September. If you are here during the busiest season, a tip is to arrive relatively early after opening, before the queues get too long.

At the entrance, you can choose whether to buy a ticket for the castle only, or for both the castle and the archaeological museum. We chose both, based on the idea that this is where we are now, and we rarely come back to the same place.

Palace of Grand Master of Nights

The castle of Rhodes Town, the Grand Master of Nights, was originally built in the 6th century. When the Crusaders arrived in the 14th century, it was renovated to suit new times and needs.

Rhodes was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1522, and in the period that followed, the castle was used as a command centre and fortress. When the island became part of Italy in 1912, the building was reconstructed according to medieval architecture. And now, since 1948, Rhodes and the castle belong to Greece.

Walking around the huge building is fascinating. The halls are mighty, with incredible space and height. Sculptures and furniture from different eras are displayed here and there.

Among other things, you can see beautiful and very well-preserved mosaics, which according to the signs are often very old.

Rhodes Archaeological Museum

As I said, we bought a ticket that also included entry to the Rhodes Archaeological Museum, which is a five-minute walk from the castle, at the other end of Street of the Knights of Rhodes.

The museum is housed in a magnificent building that once served as a hospital for the Knights of St John. Today it displays various archaeological artefacts from Rhodes and nearby islands, such as pots and statues.

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

When you're done visiting the castle in Rhodes Town, check out the rest of the Old Town. Here you'll find an impressive curtain wall, Jewish quarters, churches and the famous street Street of the Knights of Rhodes. Of course, you can also discover cosy restaurants and bars in the area.

There is also the rest of the island of Rhodes to discover with the picturesque village of Lindos, beautiful beaches such as Anony Quinn Bay and attractions such as Kalithea Springs, Seven Springs and the Valley of Butterflies.

Street of the Knights of Rhodes in the Old Town of Rhodes Town

Have you visited the castle in Rhodes Town?

If you are visiting Rhodes, we highly recommend visiting the castle in Rhodes Town! Have you been here? How was your experience?

Visiting the castle in Rhodes Town

Name: Palace of Grand Master of Nights
Location: In the Old Town, in Rhodes Town, on the island of Rhodes
Opening hours: The castle is usually open 08:00 - 20:00 in summer and 08:30 - 15:30 in winter. Please note that it may be closed during various public holidays (2024).
Price: Visiting the castle in Rhodes Town currently (2024) costs €8 for adults and €4 for children and others entitled to a reduced price. In winter (1 Nov - 31 March) everyone is entitled to a reduced price. If you pay €10, the archaeological museum is included.