There are a number of fascinating places and sights to discover on Rhodes Island. The centre of capital of the island is a well preserved ancient town bordered by medieval walls and gates. Every year many tourists just come to see the attractions in old town during their Rhodes holidays on the Rhodes Island.
Old Town of Rhodes:
Containing a mixture of historic, Ottoman, Byzantine and medieval monuments, the Old town of Rhodes on Rhodes Island has been declared as one of the UNESCO’s World’s Heritage sites.
This Medieval town of Rhodes is a distinctive place and contains some very impressive sites. The Medieval town of Rhodes comprises of three areas: Kollakio (the Knights’ Quarter), Jewish Quarter and the Turkish Quarter.
The Old Town’s Kollakio is the place where majority of the medieval landmarks are situated. The Pyles or the nine main gates of Rhodes Old Town are used for entering the old town of Rhodes where you can experience the culture and living style of different nations including Turkish, Byzantine and Latin.
Therefore, when coming for Rhodes Holidays, visiting the Turkish Quarter is a must if you want to discover the historic treasures of old town.
Exploring the Turkish Quarter:
The mosques that are now found in the west part of medieval town were previously Byzantine churches were present, in this part of the town you will find small squares each having a fountain and domed houses with front sides decorated with beautiful arched rows.
From both the sides of the Socrates Street, narrow lanes take one right into the heart of the medieval town. Hippodamus Street is a narrow streets that provides access to the Turkish quarter . The 15th century’s Agia Paraskevi church is located on the right-hand side. As you go farther you will come across the next narrow street known as Arhelaou Street. Going farther leads one to the Arionos Square, the mosque of Sultan Mustafa and the Turkish Hamam.
Suleiman Mosque and the Hammam Baths:
The eye-catching pink-domed Suleiman Mosque in particular dominates the Turkish quarter. Their Turkish legacies include the Turkish ‘Hammam’ baths that are still operated by the local municipals.
At the back of the Suleiman mosque is the Archelaou Street that provides access to Arionos square; the public baths (hammams) and the Sultan Mustafa Mosque are found here. These are the sacred Turkish baths (hammam) that have been fully restored.
Turkish library:
The Turkish library in Turkish Quarter is positioned on the other end of the street called Archelaou Street. Almost 210 year ago, in 1794, Ahmed Hafuz build this library. This library contains some great selections of Arab, Turkish and Persian manuscripts. Amongst these manuscripts the important ones include
- One richly ornamented Koran of 1412
- One richly ornamented Koran of 1540
- An anonymous chronicle of the 1522 siege
Kurmale-Medresse:
Apollonion Street which is located on the western side of mosque of Suleiman will lead you to the historic church of St. George. George. During Ottoman occupation this church was known with the name of Kurmale-Medresse which means the school with the date palm and was used as a medresse.
On Rhodes Island a popular Accommodation solution is a Aparthotel Rhodes or one of the Rhodes Town Hotels that you can avail during your Rhodes Holidays
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