Tracing medieval footsteps down the the ‘Odos Ippoton’ on our way to dinner, it was easy to imagine whispers in the dark. The swishing of silk trains, the clang of armour, the neighing of horses, the clink of sword and spear.
Less eerie in the glare of daylight, but just as atmospheric, the ‘Road of the Knights‘ is a 200 meter remnant of the original cobbled road that once stretched from Rhodes harbour to the acropolis.

Lined on either side by the Inns of the Tongues (subgroupings by nationality), from the Grand Masters Palace to the Knights hospital, this is considered one of the best preserved medieval streets in Europe. Built between the 13th and 15th centuries, the inns are mainly identifiable by the coats of arms inscribed on stone above their portals, many of which have been carted off to museums in Istanbul and elsewhere.

Founded in the 11th century by Gerard Thom also known as “Blessed Thom” to provide care to sick and injured pilgrims to the holy lands, the Knights Hospitallers of St. John evolved into a religious and military order that was evicted from the very land they were meant to defend after the Islamic invasion.

The Knights (not to be confused with the Knights Templar) retreated to Rhodes in 1309 (captured in turn from the Genoese) and their heroic defense of this last bastion of Christianity in the increasingly Islamic region is the stuff of legends. After the final siege* led by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1522, the Knights were forced to surrender and were offered safe passage to western Europe along with the surviving christian residents.
They drifted around Europe for a while before settling in Malta and came to be known as the Knights of Malta. The French invasion of Malta dispersed them yet again until the early 19th century, when rechristened as the Sovereign Military Order Of Malta, they set up base in Rome and dedicated themselves to humanitarian causes, that continues to this date, with associations in over 120 countries. The English tongue evolved into the St John Ambulance Brigade in 1887.
- The human cost of the siege – 2000 (out of a population of 7000) Christians and 50000 Ottomans!.
This writing and photos are quite convincing 🙂 It seems like a worthwile destination 🙂
Such an exciting post. I am a fan of knights and anything medieval. I’ve been wathing the series Merlin lately and it’s really cool. Thanks.Beautiful post. Have a great weekend my friend.
Like stepping back in time 🙂
This was really interesting, Madhu. I always learn something new when you post, and the photos are great.
Appreciate your kind words Naomi, thank you so much 🙂
Quite engaging and great photos too. 😉
Thank you Eliz 🙂
Beautiful and Awesome
DJ-
Thanks again DJ 🙂
Fascinating! You are quite talented at providing historical tours and photos tours. Thank you.
Thank you Fergie! And if you are wondering why the overwhelming gratitude, I am playing belated catch up with my old posts 🙂
In tomorrow’s post I will nominate you for the Inspiring Blog Award. Congratulations.
Oh, thank you Sally! I am honoured and touched.