The palace that survived its own ruins
In 1856, an accidental explosion in the building's basement, where the Ottomans were storing ammunition, reduced the palace to a pile of rubble. What you see today is a meticulous reconstruction carried out by the Italians in the 1930s, built upon the original medieval foundations. Keep this detail in mind, as it changes how you experience the site.
Why visit the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes?
Constructed in the 14th century by the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John, this palace served as the Grand Master's residence, an administrative headquarters, and a final fortress in the event of a siege. Its massive silhouette, featuring two crenelated towers flanking the entrance, still dominates the end of the rue des Chevaliers (Street of the Knights) in the Old Town of Rhodes.
The building has lived several lives: a knights' palace, a prison during the Ottoman occupation, and eventually a summer residence for Mussolini during the Italian reconstruction. You can still see this layering of history in the architecture, which blends medieval austerity with the neo-Gothic touches added in the 20th century.
Roman mosaics: the surprise on the upper floor
Upstairs, the rooms once reserved for Italian officials house an unexpected collection: Roman and Byzantine mosaics brought here from the island of Kos, where Italian archaeologists were excavating in the 1930s. Fish, jellyfish, and geometric patterns cover the floors of rooms furnished in the Fascist-era style, creating a stylistic mix that is quite unique.
The courtyard and medieval remnants
On the ground floor, the paved inner courtyard retains the most authentic atmosphere, with its Gothic arcades and original cisterns. This is where you can best feel the weight of history, away from the somewhat artificial grandeur of the renovated state rooms upstairs.
Pro tip: Arrive at opening time or late in the day to avoid the cruise ship crowds that overwhelm the palace by mid-morning, especially on days when multiple ships dock in the harbor.
Pros
- Rare medieval architecture with a well-preserved general layout
- Exceptional ancient mosaics on the upper floor
- Clear views over the Old Town from the towers
Cons
- 20th-century reconstruction rather than an intact medieval building
- Limited explanatory signage
- Heavy crowds during peak cruise ship hours
Opening hours
April to October: daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
November to March: daily from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
The site is closed on January 1st, March 25th, May 1st, Orthodox Easter Sunday, December 25th, and December 26th.
Last admission is generally 30 minutes before closing. In high season, aim to arrive right at opening to avoid the cruise ship crowds.
How long for this activity
Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours to explore the state rooms, interior courtyards, and mosaic collections. A half day is recommended if you want to dive deeper into the history of the Knights of Rhodes at your own pace.
*Information subject to change
The palace, seen from the outside, has some pretty impressive architecture that is well preserved. On the other hand, I found the entrance price quite high. Honestly, the tour is pretty quick, there is not much to see, and there is really very little decoration inside.