“Walk the Legendary Street of the Knights in Rhodes – A Medieval Masterpiece”

Street Of The Knights, austere and somewhat hostile, the street (Odós Ippotón in greek) housed the headquarters of the Knights Hospitallers who ruled Rhodes. The Knights were divided into seven “languages” according to the place of origin: England, France, Germany, Italy, Aragon, Auvergne and Provence. Later in 8 languages ​​with the addition of Castile.

Each was responsible for a specific section of the fortifications. This street housed an inn, or palace, for each language. The current appearance of the Street Of The Knights owes much to the Italian restorations of the 1930s.

The Street of the Knights (Odós Ippotón) is one of the highlights of the medieval city of Rhodes . It is a fascinating, almost a must visit, both on your own or with a guide. One of the most popular attractions in the historic center.

Following a direction from east to west, the cobbled Street Of The Knights partly uses an ancient straight road that connected one of the naval ports with the Acropolis of Rhodes. This medieval street is about 600m long. It starts from the square in front of the Hospital of the Knights, now the Archaeological Museum, and leads to the Grand Master’s Palace.

Street Of the Knights

Along the way, seven imposing inns were built at the beginning of the 16th century, representing the seven countries, or languages, from which the Knights of the Order of St. John or Knights Hospitallers came. Each facade is decorated with coats of arms and details reflecting the respective country. Without doubt, the most beautiful palace is the Auberge de France, built between 1492 and 1503. Most of the Grand Masters were French, so their influence on architecture was considerable. Masons and craftsmen were mostly Greeks but workers from France and Spain also participated.

The Street Of The Knights conveys an excellent image of the Middle Ages. All the inns are very well preserved and still functional. The French vice consulate located in the Auberge de France is still present and operational on the Street Of The Knights, until a few years ago one of these inns also housed the Italian vice consulate which unfortunately has definitively closed its doors on this prestigious street.

In this Odós, we pay homage to a great artist and Grand Master of Greek Satire.

Born in 1943 in Rhodes, Vangelis Pavlidis was one of Greece’s most important cartoonists and illustrators. His career began in 1971 with the publication of his first political cartoons in Greek newspapers.

Over the years, he collaborated with numerous newspapers and magazines, including To Vima, Eleftherotypia, and Rizospastis, addressing issues of national and international relevance with an ironic and provocative approach.

Pavlidis has participated in numerous group and solo exhibitions in Greece and abroad, including Oslo (1978), Athens (1987), London (1999), Rosas (Spain, 2000), and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Athens (2003).

In 2015, an exhibition in Rhodes was dedicated to the refugee crisis, a recurring theme in his work.

His distinctive style combined elements of traditional caricature with a modern sensibility, creating powerful and memorable images. Pavlidis was a founding member of the Greek Cartoonists Association and collaborated with various cultural and journalistic institutions.

What to Visit on the Street of the Knights in Rhodes

Walking along the Street of the Knights in Rhodes is like stepping into the pages of medieval history. This cobbled avenue, one of the best-preserved in Europe, was once the main residential area of the Knights of St. John, and today, it remains the most iconic street in the island’s Old Town.

As you stroll uphill from the Hospital of the Knights (Archaeological Museum) toward the Palace of the Grand Master, you’ll pass a remarkable collection of Inns, or “auberges,” that once housed the knights according to their national “tongues.” Each bears distinct coats of arms, stone carvings, and architectural details representing its homeland:

Auberge de France – The most elegant of all, with its striking Gothic façade and preserved emblems.

Auberge of Italy, Auberge of Provence, Auberge of Auvergne, and others – each reflecting a different European influence within the Order.

The Church of the Virgin of the Castle (Panagia tou Kastrou) – an impressive Gothic structure located nearby, often included in visits along the route.

At the top of the street stands the Palace of the Grand Master, a monumental fortress and residence of the Order’s leader. Restored during the Italian period, it now serves as a museum showcasing artifacts, mosaics, and the history of medieval Rhodes.

The atmosphere of the Street of the Knights is unforgettable its high stone walls, arched doorways, and quiet grandeur transport visitors back to the 15th century. Illuminated by soft golden light at sunset, it’s one of the most photogenic and historically rich corners of the Mediterranean.