The Old Town of Rhodes, otherwise called the Medieval Town, has been declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1988. It is one of the largest and oldest inhabited medieval towns in Europe.
The Knights of Saint John, otherwise called Hospitallers, came to Rhodes in 1390. Their mission was to look after the welfare of the wounded and ailing crusaders. They were divided into 8 national groups, each representing their European country. The supreme authority of the order was named the Grand Master, hence the Grand Master’s Palace is located within the walls of the Old Town.
