Legends of the Fall

The Palace of the Grand Masters was built by the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem at a high point in the old town soon after their arrival to Rhodes in the 14th century. The Palace was the place of residence of the Grand Master and a place of gathering of the Order. In essence it was an independent fort within the old city walls, designed to withstand siege should the outer walls be breached.

During the Turkish occupation it was converted to a prison and was destroyed by a gunpowder explosion in 1856. The Palace of the Grand Masters was re-built from the ground up by the Italians between 1937-40 with guidance from old drawings and manuscripts. It was going to be the summer residence of Mussolini and Victor Emmanuel III but as soon as it was complete the Italians relinquished control of the island to Greece.

Wall relief and fortification - Old Rhodes City, Rhodes, Greece - August 1996

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