Palace of the Grand Master
Palace of the Grand Master features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Rhodes. Give it roughly ~60 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type palace
- Suggested visit ~60 min
- Rhodes Rhodes guide
About Palace of the Grand Master
A towering medieval palace that is really a 1937-40 Italian reconstruction, rebuilt as a Fascist holiday residence for Mussolini and the king, though it is unclear either ever stayed.
The Palace of the Grand Master stands on a Byzantine citadel that the Knights Hospitaller, after taking Rhodes in 1309, made the residence of their Grand Master and the seat of the Order of St John. After the Ottoman conquest of 1522 it served as a fortress and garrison post, and later as a prison. On 6 November 1856 lightning ignited gunpowder stored in the cellars of the adjoining Church of St John of the Collachium; the explosion destroyed the church and reduced the palace's upper storeys to ruins.
The building seen today is an almost total reconstruction carried out by the Italian administration between 1937 and 1940, under architect Vittorio Mesturino, and is often criticised as conjectural. It was rebuilt as a holiday residence for King Victor Emmanuel III and Benito Mussolini, though it is unclear either man ever stayed there. Its halls were paved with ancient mosaics largely taken from the island of Kos. A museum since 1948, it holds about 158 rooms, of which around 24 are open to visitors.
Did you know? The palace looks medieval but was almost entirely rebuilt by Italy between 1937 and 1940, as a holiday residence for King Victor Emmanuel III and Mussolini. It is unclear either man ever stayed.
How long is a visit to Palace of the Grand Master?
Set aside roughly ~60 min for Palace of the Grand Master. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Palace of the Grand Master worth your time?
Palace of the Grand Master is among the 18 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Rhodes, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Rhodes
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Palace of the Grand Master and read more:
Day 2 of the Rhodes in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Palace of the Grand Master
Preview the Rhodes tour free in the Gingerguide app.