Rhodes

The next day of our Greek Cruise was spent on the island of Rhodes. This was my second favorite island we visited (my first being Mykonos). Rhodes is most famously known for the Colossus of Rhodes. It was the 3rd of the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World we visited.

During the morning, we went on a walking tour of Old Town. The Old Town is the oldest inhabited medieval town in Europe. It was built in the 14th Century by the Knights Hospitaller. The Order of the Hospitallers was founded in Jerusalem in 1023 to care for the sick pilgrims who came to the Holy Land. They operated there until the Holy Land was conquered by Islamic forces. The Knights then went to Rhodes, where they became known as the Knights of Rhodes, or sometimes the Knights of Saint John.

On the Island of Rhodes, the Knights became a military force defending the island from pirates, an Egyptian Sultan, and an Ottoman Sultan. The Old Town was built inside ancient castle walls, complete with arrowslits for defense, non-functioning drawbridges, and a dry mote around the wall. The old town is littered with old canon balls the size of basketballs. Modern day stores have been built within the castle walls, but they all have an old medieval look.

The medieval wall surrounding the Old Town.

The main entrance to the Old Town.

Ali, Chelsea, Amanda, Me, & Steph

The Palace

The Knights of Rhodes Shield

More Old Town

More Old Town

Check out these cobblestone streets!!

A Medieval Fountain

Beautiful Building and Foliage

I loved it. It reminded me of Robin Hood.

Sandra, Steph, Chelsea, Tanya, and Me

In the afternoon we left the port and Old Town and went to the most gorgeous beach. The water was crystal clear. We could see the bottom of it even after swimming out quite far.

Beautiful Beach!!

Me and the Aegean Sea.