Oosterdam European Adventure, Rhodes, Greece...

We decided to cancel our island tour and do a walkabout on our own in Rhodes Old Town. Rhodes Old Town is characterized by a network of winding cobbled lanes, squares and charming ruins, all entangled with a large dose of Ottoman influence. The ship was docked just outside the old town walls. We walked along the harbor passing the four dolphins’ statue and entered the old town via the Marine Gate. The gate consists of two imposing towers. Wandering in the Old City of Rhodes, we headed to the Archeological Museum of Rhodes. The museum is housed in the former Hospital of the Knights, and displays artefacts from various periods of the island’s history. The admission the museum had the option to include the Grand Palace tour which we decided to do. To reach the palace we had to take the The Street of the Knights, an uphill street lined with well-preserved medieval inns built for the nations that crusaded with the Order of the Knights of St John.  The Palace of the Grand Master was originally a Byzantine fortress which later housed the administrative center of the Order of Knights. The Palace of the Grand Master is a sprawling complex filled with numerous rooms and courtyards, each with its own unique history and charm. Every corner of the Palace is a testament to the architectural brilliance of its time, offering a glimpse into the rich history and legacy of this structure. Next, we found the Rolio Clock Tower, commanding the highest point in the Old Town and offering me a tremendous panorama. Dating originally from the 7th century, the tower is a testament to the history of Rhodes. The entrance fee included a free drink in the pleasant terrace cafe below the tower. Leaving the tower, we came to the Ippokratous Square, old towns’ main meeting point and very close to the Mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent. This mosque was built in 1522 to commemorate the Ottoman victory against the knights. Opposite the mosque is the Ottoman Library. Next, we came upon Evreon Martyron Square in the Jewish Quarter, one of the particularly picturesque places to visit in Rhodes, and is also known as Seahorse Square given the seahorse fountain present there. Our last stop was the Lady of the Castle Cathedral, one of the oldest churches in Rhodes, dating back to the 11th century AD. We left the old town via the picturesque Virgin Gate and walked the short distance back to the ship. The weather was beautiful, so I spent a couple of hours taking soaking up the sun. Wonderful day in Rhodes.