The Fortress Of Saint Nicholas In Old Town, Rhodes
Considered to be one of the most beautiful Greek islands, Rhodes Island lies just seven mile off the Turkish coast. It offers a great climate, beautiful beaches and many interesting archaeological sites. It was the ancient home of many civilizations that left their marks in the form of structures and buildings so when you come to Rhodes you can discover and learn about the great rulers like the Knights of St. John. Rhodes old town on Rhodes Island, which now happens to be a part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, attracts tourists and visitors from all around the world. Fortress of Saint Nicholas is located in the medieval town of Rhodes, near the famous Rhodes Old Town Hotels
Location:
On the entrance to Mandraki harbour, there are statues of deer. At the harbour, three old windmills are found in the centre while the ancient St Nicholas Fortress stands on its north side.
The History of the Fortress:
The Mandraki harbour was a military harbour in ancient times. A tower was constructed to guard the important Mandraki harbour during 1464 to 1467 by the Grand Master Raimondo Zacosta. The tower was built at a natural dockside where many windmills are located.
The guard tower in Rhodes was upgraded to a small fort, subsequent to the first siege. A bastion was constructed around the tower by Grand Master d’Aubusson turning it into a small fortress. The fortress got its name from the small chapel located inside it.
Historical Significance:
In order to make the security of the Rhodes Island effective and better, the fort was constructed. The Turkish attacks on the island from time to time were made ineffective by the fortress. The Fortress of Saint Nicholas built in fifteenth century at the deck’s end of Mandraki harbour played a vital role in the defence of Rhodes city from the enemy attacks. The fortess in the defence of Rhodos played the key role in the sieges of 1480 and 1522-23.
Fortress of Saint Nicholas; Today:
The well preserved Saint Nicholas Fortress that stands today is one of the ancient structures from the medieval time. It serves as a great attraction for tourists that come from different parts of the world. You can now find trees and a walking path instead of the moat in the Fort of Saint Nicholas. There is also a Greek flag that flies high above the tallest parapet of the fort.
Even after centuries, only few parts of the fort have fallen while most are still undamaged. Within the fortress, there is a well built archway that leads to the beach and the docks from the old town. The main street of the fort goes ahead in the direction of the old town through the walls of the fort. The impressive structure is a very common subject for photography as well as for different documentaries on Rhodes Island.
To really enjoy your holidays on Rhodes Island, you must plan a thorough sightsee of the Rhodes old town and its historical sites. On the Island of Rodos are many interesting places, but the Old Town of Rhodes you should not miss to see.
Have amazing Rhodes Holidays experience on the Island of Rhodes. Plan sightseeing trips, get Rhodes Accommodation in one of the top Rhodes Hotels and discover Rhodes, the home of many ancient civilizations
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