Archaeological Museum of Rhodes, Rhodes (must see)

One of the most significant buildings in the Old Town, the Knights’ New Hospital now houses the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes. The structure not only preserves finds from ancient sites across the island but also reflects the wealth, organization, and engineering skill of the Knights Hospitaller during their rule. Construction of the hospital began in 1440 and was completed in 1489 under Grand Master Pierre d’Aubusson.

At the center of the complex lies a large rectangular courtyard, surrounded by arched porticoes. One section is marked by a Hellenistic lion statue, while other areas display stone cannonballs recovered from several sieges of the city, including those of 1480 and 1522. From the courtyard, a broad stone staircase leads to the former infirmary hall, a vast vaulted space supported by stone columns. Once sparsely equipped, the hall now displays medieval artifacts, including carved tombstones of Knights, many bearing heraldic coats of arms.

The remaining rooms on the upper floor, including the former refectory, have been divided into gallery spaces presenting pottery, grave goods, and architectural fragments from sites such as Ialysos and Kameiros, much of it uncovered during Italian-era excavations. These galleries are arranged chronologically, guiding visitors through Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman periods.

Another section of the museum, located in the former service areas of the hospital, displays Classical sculpture and funerary steles, including a notable stele dedicated by Krito to her mother Timarista, dated to around 410 BC and carved in the Athenian style. Nearby are an Archaic kouros and a small marble head of Zeus found near his sanctuary on Mount Atávyros.

Additional rooms feature Hellenistic and Roman statuary, including two celebrated representations of Aphrodite. One, known as Aphrodite Thalassia, is notable for the erosion of her facial features caused by prolonged contact with seawater. The other, Aphrodite Bathing, depicts the goddess crouching as she arranges her hair and dates to the 1st century BC, likely a Roman copy of a 3rd-century BC original. Nearby, a sculpture garden presents a mix of stylized animals set among planted courtyards.