Archaeological Museum Of Rhodes

Ι'm pretty sure you loved epta piges (seven springs) in the previous article, (besides its nature, who wouldn't love nature?), but now it's time to return to the town of Rhodes and learn... some history!

The Archaeological Museum is housed at the Hospital of the Knights which is one of the most impressive buildings you will see in the medieval city of Rhodes. It is a two storey building, which halls and courtyard displayed huge variety of exhibits. Let me remind you, as we said in previous article palace-of-grand-master that the building started in 1440 by Grand Master De Lactic, who spent for the construction the astronomical sum of 10,000 golden guilders and completed in 1489. As a museum, it has been operated since 1940.

In the courtyard opposite the entrance stands a seated lion with a bull's head at his feet coming from late Hellenistic period and in front of it a mosaic floor from the basilica of Arkasa Karpathos is exposed. A second mosaic Arkasa Karpathos has been put in the inner courtyard in front of the stores of the Museum, on the ground floor. In the floor we can see the large room that the patients used to be and the dining rooms of the archaeological collection. In the great hall of the patients were exposed carved tombstones of knights, chivalric emblems and the Roman sarcophagus used as a tomb of the Grand Master Kornegian. In the dining room we can see carved tombstones of Late Antiquity from Nisyros

Its important for every visitor to know that the Museum houses important archaeological finds coming from almost all the island. The excibition aims to highlight the major findings from Rhodes to help better understand the ancient history of the island.The most worth seeing exhibits are the following:
The grave stele of Kalliarista, dated in about 350 b.C., where the dead woman is presented seated, dressed in a chiton, with the himation covering her head. Her servant, standing beside her, holds a pyxis (jewel box) with her jewels. The capping of the stele is in form of a pediment resting on pilasters.
A black-figured attic amphora or the 6th century b.C., presenting the departure of a warrior.
An amphora dated in the 6th century b.C. of Fikellura style, made in a Rhodian workshop. Both sides are depicted with a representation of an animal and fleurons decorate the space below the handles.

A kylix of Vroullian style, dated in the 6th century b.C., that was also made in a workshop.
The grave stele of Krito and Timarista, dated in about 420-410 b.C. It presents two standing female figures. Timarista, full face, wearing a chiton and peplos embraces Krito, who wears a chiton and himation and has short hair.

The head of an athlete, made of marble and dated in the 4th century b.C.
The head of the god Helios. It is dated between 250 and 160 b.C.
A marble statue of a nude squatting Aphrodite, dated in circa 100 A.D., a remodeling of the Doidalsas type.
Apart from the above, you will be able to see important collections of tomb groups found in various sites of the island, dated in different periods. There are also displayed other statues and mosaics of the Hellenistic period, which have been found in the ancient city of Rhodes.
In the end of your visiting dont miss to see the two headless archaic kouroi, dated in circa 550-530 b.C., as well as several grave stones from the period of the Knights with relief representations of the dead persons or of their blazons.
Don't miss this great oppurtunity to ''live'' the history that island has. Besides it's the island that will make you have unforgetable holidays! It's worth knowing its rich history!!! Enjoy!