---
title: "Rhodes"
description: "\"Island of Knights\" preserving UNESCO World Heritage medieval Old Town where Knights Hospitaller ruled 1309-1522, creating Europe\'s"
url: "https://viatravelers.com/destinations/rhodes/"
published_at: "2025-12-23T15:50:57-06:00"
updated_at: "2026-06-17T06:02:42-06:00"
author: "Kyle Kroeger"
categories:
  - "Europe"
  - "Greece"
---

“Island of Knights” preserving UNESCO World Heritage medieval Old Town where Knights Hospitaller ruled 1309-1522, creating Europe’s best-preserved medieval city with 4-kilometer fortified walls and cobblestone Street of the Knights leading to Gothic Palace of the Grand Master. Colossus of Rhodes’ legendary 35-meter bronze Helios statue (282-226 BC) marking harbor entrance as one of Seven Wonders of the Ancient World until earthquake toppling—now commemorated by deer statues symbolizing the island’s ancient maritime wealth and power. Lindos Acropolis’ stunning clifftop Temple of Athena Lindia blending Doric, Byzantine, and Knights’ fortifications with breathtaking Mediterranean coastline views, plus ancient trireme warship carved into rock as votive offering to Athena. Medieval grandeur pervading the living Old Town where Hospital of the Knights (Archaeological Museum) and former nationality-based Inns create film-set atmosphere for jousting knights while maintaining authentic daily life. Rhodes Acropolis’s Temple of Apollo, ancient stadium, and theater (3rd-5th century BC) offering panoramic views, while Kamiros ancient city ruins complete this remarkable fusion of Crusader medieval architecture with classical Greek heritage across the Dodecanese’s largest island.