Plizio Visual Lab
Palace of the Grand Master
The Palace of the Grand Master in Rhodes City is a formidable example of late medieval military architecture and served as the seat of power for the Knights Hospitaller in the Eastern Mediterranean. Originally constructed in the 14th century over the foundations of a Byzantine citadel, it functioned as both the residence of the Grand Master and a final stronghold for the city's defense. The palace is characterized by its massive rounded towers, a monumental arched gateway, and a spacious central courtyard. After serving as a prison and gunpowder magazine under Ottoman rule and being severely damaged by an explosion in 1856, it was extensively reconstructed by the Italians in the 1930s. Today, the interior features grand halls paved with exquisite ancient Roman and early Christian mosaics brought from the nearby island of Kos. The palace also houses significant archaeological exhibitions detailing the history of Rhodes from antiquity to the Middle Ages. As part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Medieval City of Rhodes, the palace remains one of the few examples of Gothic architecture in Greece.
- Location: Greece
- Top sights: Palace of the Grand Master · Entrance to wall walk - 3 euro · Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes
- Nearby: Ialysos (7 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Oct.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 21 | 25 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 23 | 19 | 15 |
| Rain mm | 167 | 112 | 63 | 41 | 22 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 18 | 52 | 95 | 161 |
📋 Practical info
Geography
Facts
- The palace contains a total of 158 rooms, with about 24 currently open to the public.
- The Italian restoration of the palace took place between 1937 and 1940.
- The famous 'Medusa' and 'Nine Muses' mosaics date back to the 2nd century AD.
- The palace was originally designed as a summer residence for King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy.
- The 1856 explosion was caused by gunpowder stored in the forgotten cellar of a nearby church.
- The Grand Hall features a notable replica of the Laocoön and His Sons sculpture group.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Palace of the Grand Master (8)
Church of St. Trinity
Church on Rhodes, formerly a mosque, located in the historic center.
Nea Agora
Covered market in Rhodes city with stalls for food and souvenirs.
Ancient shipyards-Roman tetrapylon
Ancient ship sheds and a Roman tetrapylon in the old town of Rhodes.
Rhodes Museum of Ancient Greek Technology🏛 museum
Museum with working replicas of ancient Greek inventions and machines.
St. Georgios Bastion
Bastion of the medieval fortifications of Rhodes, named after Saint George.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
When was the Palace of the Grand Master built?
What can be seen inside the palace?
Is the palace accessible for wheelchair users?
How much is the entrance fee?
Is photography allowed in the palace?
Palace of the Grand Master: where is it located?
Palace of the Grand Master: what is there to see?
Palace of the Grand Master: when is the best time to visit?
Palace of the Grand Master: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
