When you hear the word Greece, you may instantly see visions of white and blue villages, taste hints of ouzo and hear echoes of plates smashing against the ground. Although those are components of Greek culture, a visit to Rhodes during your study abroad program will reveal to you that these aspects only scrape the surface of what the island nation has to offer. By heading to the city's Old Town, also known as the Knights' Quarter, you will encounter an element of this nation that you never before imagined.
Rhodes' past meets its present
If you have looked into the history of Rhodes, then you are probably aware that the island was continuously switching hands, as power after power fought to claim the territory for their own. Near the end of the 5th century, all of the island was brought together to form a single land ruled by the Greeks. Although these people succeeded in uniting Rhodes, hundreds of years later in the 1300s, they also knew that the Ottoman Empire was still trying to conquer it. Settling in a portion of the city properly equipped for battle – by medieval standards, of course – the Knights of St. John were ready to defend the island and stave off the Turks.
Today, while you're studying abroad, you can visit this area and see what Crusaders called home. In addition to witnessing medieval militaristic architecture, such as protective walls that open with majestic archways and intimidating towers extending overhead, you can stop by the old Bazaar. The narrow streets boast shops where you can purchase pretty much anything, ranging from handmade pottery and jewelry to embroidered clothing and handbags.
Dive into the island's noble history
Lonely Planet advises that you take in Rhodes' past by heading to the ruins of the Temple of Aphrodite, which is one of few archeological sites that can be found in this part of the city. In addition, you can continue your tour of artifacts with a trip to the Museum of Decorative Arts. At this institution, you will have the unique opportunity to see original items belonging to Rhodes' past occupants. With pieces like carvings, tools and clothing, you can get a real sense of this island's cultural history, which will add another dimension to your trip.
Following these excursions, you probably want to check out exactly where the Knights resided. Strolling along the Avenue of the Knights, or Odos Ippoton in Greek, you will be able to explore locales that convey a sense of elegance and nobility.
As you make the rounds, you will likely notice that the street is separated into different "tongues." Knights coming from various backgrounds lived in sections of the street among their own kind who shared a same language and culture. The divided areas included those from France, England, Germany, Italy, Aragon, Provence and Auvergne. Each community had to defend its part of the bastion. As you make your way along this historic road, you will come across numerous buildings that were overseen by the different divisions within the Knights, making for a fascinating and educational excursion.