Church of Our Lady of Victory, Rhodes

The Church of Our Lady of Victory is known locally as Sancta Maria and has a long and turbulent history on Rhodes. The church existed during the reign of the Knights over the island and was run by the Franciscans, but following the victory of the Ottoman Empire, in 1522, they were forced to leave and the original church was destroyed. In 1719, their mission on Rhodes was allowed to return and in 1743, the Church of Our Lady of Victory was rebuilt in its current location. In 1851, the church underwent significant expansion and it was made the main Catholic Church on Rhodes.

Following an earthquake in 1926 the Belltower collapsed and plans were forged to construct a new façade. The renovations were completed in 1929 and the Baroque Portal was replaced by a new wrought iron gate brought from Emilia-Romagna in Italy. The façade now features elements of the church’s crusader origins as well as a Maltese cross. Inside the church there is a single nave and transept along with three cross vaults and a cupola that is crowned with a lantern. In 1937 Rhodian marble was added to the frontal of the main altar.