Rhodes Castles

When you think of castles, your first thought certainly goes to the wonderful Loire Castles in France, but that's not exactly the case. Greece also boasts impressive fortresses with historical, cultural and architectural importance. We find them everywhere as it has always been a land targeted by conquerors especially for its geographical position which places it between Europe and Asia Minor and therefore a fundamental point for dominating the territories and transiting from one continent to another for the trade.

Today we want to tell you something more about the castles of Rhodes island, a land of myths and legends as well as a naturalistic landscape of extraordinary beauty. If during your holiday in Rhodes you want to do something different than the classic day at the seaside, we offer you some of its best castles that are worth a visit.

Let's start with Kritinia Castle. We find it on the west coast of Rhodes about 55 km from the capital Rhodes Town on the coastal road. Built in 1472 in the shape of an amphitheater during the domination of the Knights of Malta by the architect and sculptor of Venetian origin Giorgio Orsini, the castle called Kastellos by the locals is an imposing fortress which had the function of protecting the inhabitants of the village from attacks by Ottomans. Its view which extends 360 degrees over the sea and the entire island above a hill, was essential to avoid looting and massacres and its current name Kritinia (in the past it was called Kastelli until the revolution that freed Greece) was given in honor of Crete island (Kritinia literally means new Crete). At 131 meters above sea level it was originally coastal where Kamiros Skala is located but it was moved higher up for greater safety of the population and the ancient settlement was then submerged by the sea. At the beginning it was composed of three levels, each dedicated to a different Grand Master and today you can admire the ruins of the Saint Paul Curch with the coats of arms of the Grand Masters of Rhodes. Reaching it is not difficult, access is easy, the only problem is the climb always under the sun but the effort will certainly be rewarded above all by the panorama that extends as far as the Chalchi island and the coasts of Asia Minor. According to legend, the village and castle of Kritina was founded by the Cretans by the will of Minos' granddaughter.

We move on to Monolithos Castle about five kilometers just after the Siana village in the south-west part of Rhodes in the village of the same name. Also commissioned by the Knights of St. John, it was built in 1480 with the aim of protecting the island from invasions. Its name says it all, in fact Monolithos in Greek means solitary rock and nothing was more appropriate given its dominant and isolated position on the cliff. Another theory however, and here we bow to the imagination or knowledge of our Greek brothers, is attributable to a curious and mysterious black monolith which seems to have metaphysical powers brought by the Knights from the Holy Land. It is still one of the most impenetrable fortresses in Greece today. Built on a promontory 236 meters above sea level, it still retains today only a part of the walls and two wonderful chapels whitewashed with immaculate white lime from the medieval period dedicated to San Panteleimon decorated inside with precious frescoes and that of Saint George unfortunately it is now almost in ruins. Furthermore, inside there are some ancient cisterns, which were used to collect water and supply the whole area. Here too, you come mainly for the view that extends as far as the of Halki, Alimia, as well as many islets to the west of the island, not to mention the sunset, one of the most beautiful you can admire in Rhodes. Here's the sore point, how to reach it. Then you have to follow a narrow path uphill that has many steps that are not exactly comfortable but the advantage is that it is surrounded by greenery. In this regard, we recommend that you wear comfortable tennis shoes and bring water.

We arrive at Feraklos Castle on the east coast about halfway up the island not far from Agathi beach and near Charak village. It goes without saying now, its position on the top of a hill offers a wonderful view of th Malonas Bay and Agathi. It was born in the Byzantine period above an ancient Acropolis and then continued in the medieval period on a summit 150 meters above sea level. In 1306 it was occupied by the Knights Hospitaller, making it their first base. On behalf and will of the Grand Masters Giovanni Battista Orsini and Pierre d'Aubusson it was restored in 1408 and transformed into a stronghold to give protection to the area, to control the small ports of Charaki and the possible landings on the beaches of Agia Agathi as well as to travel in total security towards North Africa and the Near East. In 1470 the Knights further strengthened the castle by transforming many rooms into prison cells and in 1474 it was designated as a place of refuge for the inhabitants of the neighboring villages in case of danger and attack by the usurpers on duty. It fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1523 following a long and arduous siege only to be abandoned shortly afterwards. It has a polygonal plan with a perimeter of 680 meters which covers an area of 1700 m2. The southern and eastern parts are Byzantine, everything else was built by the Knights Hospitaller. To the south, a single door, two cylindrical towers and a cistern. There are secret underground tunnels that once led to the sea and were also used as water reserves. Unfortunately it is in an advanced state of decay, only the external walls are still present while brambles and shrubs grow wild inside. Its grandeur, however, remains spectacular and at night when it is illuminated, from afar it gives a fascinating sensation. Even in this case the conquest of the castle appears tiring and arduous. A single entrance that can be reached via paths made of slippery steps, therefore suitable shoes, water and a minimum amount of training.

Here we are at the Archangelos castle about 27 km from the city of Rhodes on the eastern part of the island near his village in front of the mountain that hosts the Profitis Elias. Perched on a secluded hill 216 meters above sea level, it offers stunning views of the Moni Tsambika Monastery. Its origins are not yet clear, various findings from different eras such as Byzantine rather than Mycenaean suggest its presence even before the Grand Master Orsini of the order of the Knights of St. John in 1467 decided to strengthen and build it as a defensive place for the inhabitants in order to protect themselves from attacks by the Turks and pirates. In 1478 following a night raid it was devastated by the Ottomans and the inhabitants of the village were enslaved. Nowadays little remains to be seen, apart from the internal walls, a small chapel with a barrel vault and a centuries-old fig tree. At the highest point there are walls of post-medieval buildings and a turret. To reach it there are paths that start from the village of Archangelos, just follow the signs that say Acropolis.

The Asklipio castle is located south-east of Rhodes, about half an hour from another wonder of the island, the beautiful Lindos. Built in 1479 by the Grand Master of Aubusson right above the remains of an ancient lighthouse, its position 250 meters above sea level on a large, partly steep limestone rock was a place that served to protect the inhabitants of the area. It had irregularly shaped bastions and two imposing towers that served as lookout points thanks to the panoramic view. The only access was the corner door positioned to the south-east with a one and a half meter thick wall and corners that were sometimes rounded. A ditch protected the upper north. Above the door there is an empty niche where once there was the coat of arms of the Knights of St. John, now preserved in the local museum in the Asklipio village. Inside there were buildings whose foundations and a cistern to store water can be admired. Also from here spectacular views across the entire area. Reaching it is not difficult, just get to the Asklipieio village, park the car near the main church and walk for a maximum of ten minutes. This small village is not touristy but on the other hand you can enter the true Greek atmosphere perhaps by stopping for lunch in a traditional family-run tavern where you can savor flavors of times gone by.

Therefore, how can we not mention the majestic Palace of the Grand Masters of the Knights of Rhodes among the castles to see in Rhodes! We find it in the capital inside the walls on the north side of the city. A fortress within a fortress, with a purely Gothic architecture that just looking at it from the outside will catapult you back in time. Built in the 14th century, it was the home of the 19th Grand Master and served as the order's residence, headquarters and fortress. During Italian rule, it was restored and became the summer residence of Vittorio Emanuele III, King of Italy and later hosted Benito Mussolini for his holidays. But to find out more, consult the completely dedicated article https://www.meraviglioseisolegreche.com/blog/curiosita/rodi--palazzo-del-gran-maestro-dei-cavalieri-di-rodi.aspx

We end our tour of the castles of Rhodes with Lindos Castle. It is located in the exciting village south west of Rhodes within the walls of the Acropolis. Originally composed of three buildings (today only two remain) it was built in the 14th century by the Knights of St. John on top of a previous fortification from the Byzantine period, adding the battlements surrounding the rock. The towers follow the natural contours of the land and cover 500 meters in length. To the south the pentagonal tower which dominated the port and the town, to the east another with a circular shape overlooking the sea and the last corner one to the north east. Not to be missed is the church of San Giovanni on the right of the Stoa with a Latin cross plan. At the entrance you can see the coats of arms still intact and on the access staircase a relief carved into the rock representing a ship on which the statue of Admiral Agesander Mikkion rested, one of Pitocrite's masterpieces, the presumed author of another immortal work, the Nike of Samothrace . Inside the castle there is a large courtyard with three cisterns and some columns dating back to the 3rd century BC which were part of the vast Stoa.

In conclusion, a valid cultural alternative that will take you to the times of knights and ladies, looting and conquests and which will help you understand even more the greatness of this magnificent land that is Greece.