Tower of France #1159

Description

Its current structure was primarily shaped during the period when the Knights of the Order of Saint John occupied the island, from 1309 to 1522. This castle-city was also the site of two major sieges in world history, one in 305 BC and another in 1522.

History
Thanks to its strategic location as a gateway to the Aegean Sea, Rhodes has always played a vital role in the trade routes between East and West. Its well-protected harbors made it an important stopover for merchants and travelers. During the Hellenistic period in the late 4th century BC, Rhodes was already encircled by defensive walls, which allowed it to withstand the siege of Demetrius Poliorketes, the king of Macedonia, in 305 BC. In celebration of their victory over Demetrius, the Rhodians constructed the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

In the 3rd century BC, Philo of Byzantium, the author of Paraskeuastica, a treatise on defensive architecture, visited Rhodes and praised the city’s impressive walls. Although the earthquake of 226 BC caused severe damage to the fortifications, they were quickly rebuilt. Later, during the Byzantine period, a fortress was added on the highest part of the town, strengthening its defenses further.