The Medieval Moat of Rhodes

The Medieval Moat of Rhodes - Part 1

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2 ай бұрын

The Byzantine fortification of Rhodes, which was built between the 7th and 13th centuries, divided the city into three parts: the Acropolis (later known as the Grand Master's Palace), the Kollakio (upper city), and the Burgo (lower city). In front of the main wall with its towers, there was a rampart and a moat. Some parts of this fortification are still preserved today and integrated into later buildings, especially in the area of Kollaki. During the period of the Knights (1309-1522), the city expanded, and the knightly walls enclosed an area approximately two-fifths larger than that of the original Byzantine walls.
The walls of Rhodes reflect the evolution of fortifications, which was a response to significant changes in siege warfare. The use of gunpowder played a crucial role in these changes. By the mid-15th century, cannons had become decisive, and gunpowder made the undermining of fortresses particularly effective. The Knights of John made successive modifications to enhance the defensive elements, solidity, and defensive firepower. They aimed to preserve the priorities of earlier eras, such as the ability to isolate advanced elements, channel the attack into traps, and strengthen the entrances to the city. The adaptation of the fortification was gradual and done with limited financial means, under the constant threat of enemy attacks. As a result, parts of the walls that were not in immediate danger retained their purely medieval form. The northern and sea walls, protected by the pier towers and the Grand Master's Palace, are examples of such purely medieval sectors.
Until about 1430, the knightly walls were flanked by independent square towers, which were open at the rear. Their base was protected by a rampart and a dry ditch. There were at least seven gates, with the entrance to the harbor protected by the towering tower of Naillac. After the failed siege of Rhodes by the Mamluks of Egypt in 1444, the first cylindrical towers were built.
Subsequent grand masters continued to strengthen the fortifications. They improved the towers, gates, moat, and sea walls, as well as reducing the number of land gates to four. Massive bastions were built in front of the most vulnerable sectors of the walls, and the moat was widened. The western and southern walls were transformed into a continuous platform for cannons that could intercept massed attacks of the enemy.
The six-month siege of 1522, which led to the surrender of Rhodes to the Ottoman Turks and the departure of the Knights of St. John, caused considerable damage to the walls, particularly to the fronts of the fortifications and to weak elements such as ramparts and parapets. After the capture of the city, the Turks made several repairs but did not modify the defensive elements of the fortifications.
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