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The old town is encircled by strong medieval walls. A typical example of the techniques of fortification of the 14th - 15th century. The walls of Rhodes are unique in Europe in their state of preservation and their form.
The wall is as massive as it is imposing. It is a continuous, 4 Klm / 2.5 mi. long, which is surround the old town.
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Is stone construction that supports a walking platform from which the Knights could move and fight where needed.
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Massive towers and bastions project from several place and they are decorated with elaborate stonework, while a wide dry Moat provided the first line of defense. To ensure the enemy could not easily fill it, the ground on the opposite side was contained by a massive wall, which was difficult to dismantle.
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St Catherine's Gate (or Sea Gate) was the main gate of the town. It was built in 1478 by Grand Master Pierre d'Aubusson.
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D'Amboise gate. The most impressive gate of Rhodes from a military viewpoint, built by Grand Master Emery d'Amboise, it was completed in 1512.
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St Anthony's Gate. Was the old western gate of Rhodes: with the redesign of the walls it became the last gate of d'Amboise's Gate.
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Outer St John's Gate. Coat of arms of Grand Master d'Aubusson. In 1912 Italian troops made their entrance into Rhodes through this gate.
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St Paul's Gate. The gate is surrounded by a low wall and is protected by a high tower where Grand Master d'Aubusson placed a relief portraying St Paul.
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Fortified Walls with St Athanasius' Gate and nearby St Mary's Tower. The gate was closed in 1501 by Grand Master d'Aubusson.
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Mills Gate: the gate was the access to the Emporium from the Jewish quarter.
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An interior wall running east-west divided the city into two unequal parts. The more northerly, and smaller, of these parts was called the Collachium.
The most beautiful part of the old town is the so called "Street of the Knights". Its medieval grandeur, which has been preserved and has survived throughout the centuries.
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The main street of Collachio (Street of The Knights). Several Langues had their palaces along the street. They had decorated portals and windows in addition to many coats of arms.
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The street links the "Hospital of the Knights" to the "Palace of the Grand Master".
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The Hospital was built by Grand Master Jean de Lastic in 1440 and enlarged by Grand Master d'Aubusson in 1481-89. It was restored by the Italian administration in 1913-18 and later on used to house the Rhodes Archaeological Museum.
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At the end of the "Street of the Knights" we find the stately "Palace of the Grand Master", which dominates the entire old town.
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The Grand Masters Palace was built in the 14th century by the Knights of Rhodes.
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The larger southern quarter was the town itself, known as the Burgo, Burgus, Burgum or Hora. Here lived a blend of races, with the Greeks in the majority.
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A panoramic view of the Old Town.
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Castellania Fountain in Ippocratous square.
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"Our Lady of the Burg" Church.
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View from the Old Town, and site of Naillac's Tower.
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The walls of the old city and fisherman boats.
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The Hospice of St. Catherine.
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The Medieval Town of Rhodes is inscribed in the List World Heritage Sites of the Convention for the Protection of World Heritage of the UNESCO.
Inclusion in this list recognizes the exceptional value of a cultural site so that it may be protected for the benefit of all Humanity.
Tours of Rhodes Island