Budget and rich tour of Rhodes for passengers Astoria Grande

The tour of the city of Rhodes is specially designed for passengers of the Astoria Grande cruise and is fully adapted for the time of the ship’s berth in the port of Rhodes. This is a sightseeing tour in Russian, ideal for cruise travelers who want to see the main attractions of the island in just one day and deeper understand its rich history.

While walking around Rhodes, you will learn how the city originated and why, while remaining Greek in spirit and language, it was ruled over centuries by the Romans, Knights Hospitallers, the Ottoman Empire and Italy. The history of Rhodes is a vivid example of the unique interweaving of antiquity, the Middle Ages and modern times.

The sightseeing tour includes a view of the majestic medieval fortress walls, laid in the era of antiquity and significantly fortified during the Crusades. We will see the ancient synagogue - a silent witness to the siege and the legendary miracle that saved the city from the Ottoman conquest. The walk will continue through the atmospheric quarter known as “Little Jerusalem” and the shopping area of medieval Rhodes.

A special place in the program is occupied by the Knights Hospital - one of the most significant architectural monuments of the city. Here we will talk about medieval medicine and learn why the Crusaders stood at the origins of the hospital case in Europe.

Next, we will walk along the famous and one of the most photogenic streets of the city - Knights of Rhodes Street. You will see the knighthood and you will know:

• How the Knights of Malta came to Rhodes

• What role did they play in the history of the Eastern Mediterranean?

• Why were they forced to leave the island?

The key point of the route will be the Palace of the Grand Master of Rhodes - a unique architectural ensemble, which amazingly combines elements of antiquity, the medieval era and the Italian period of the XX century.

The fortifications of the city will reveal to us the secrets of the elaborate defensive system of Rhodes and tell about the legendary siege of the city by the troops of Suleiman the Magnificent. Then the route will lead us to the port of Mandraki, where we will walk around the area of Italian Rhodes, see the famous statues of deer and learn about the Colossus of Rhodes - one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

The tour will conclude with a visit to the symbolic meeting place of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas - a beautiful and memorable finale of the walk before returning to the liner.