Palace of the Grand Master
The seat of power for the Knights Hospitaller's Grand Master, a massive fortified palace originally built in the 14th century, largely destroyed by an explosion in 1856 (when stored ammunition ignited), and then rebuilt by the Italians during their early-20th-century occupation of the Dodecanese — intended partly as a lavish holiday residence for Mussolini or the Italian king, though neither ended up using it as such. The result is a somewhat unusual hybrid: medieval in overall form and some surviving original elements, but with early-20th-century Italian reconstruction giving many interior spaces a different, more polished character than a purely medieval building would have.
Inside, mosaic floors (many brought from other Aegean sites by the Italians), period furniture, and an exhibition on ancient and medieval Rhodes fill out the visit, while the exterior fortifications and courtyards give a strong sense of the building's original defensive purpose.
It's one of the must-see interiors of the Old Town, worth an hour to ninety minutes, and sits right alongside the Street of the Knights for a natural combined visit.
Palace of the Grand Master FAQs
Partially — the original 14th-century palace was largely destroyed by an accidental explosion in 1856, and much of what stands today was reconstructed by the Italians in the early 20th century, giving it a hybrid medieval-and-later character.
The Italian-era reconstruction was reportedly intended partly as a potential holiday residence for Mussolini or the Italian king, though neither is known to have actually used it as such.
Mosaic floors relocated from other Aegean sites, period furniture, and an exhibition covering ancient and medieval Rhodes.
About an hour to ninety minutes.
Yes, it sits at the top of the Street of the Knights, making the two a natural combined visit.
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