Archaeological Museum of Rhodes

Housed within an ancient hospital from the Knights Hospitaller era, the Rhodes Archaeological Museum showcases a blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Built by Grand Master Jean de Lastic in 1440 and completed by d’Aubusson in 1489, its grand metal-doored entrance is emblazoned with a coat of arms. A two-story gallery encircles the central courtyard, leading to the museum’s various chambers and storerooms.

Modeled after Byzantine inns, the structure stands as a rare example of Gothic architecture in Greece.

Collection

The Rhodes Archaeological Museum showcases finds from Italian-led excavations, with artifacts primarily from Rhodes and the Dodecanese region.

· From the Yalissos and Kamiros cemeteries, the exhibits display funerary items including pottery, figurines, jewelry, and metalwork, dating from the 9th to the 4th centuries BCE.

· The exhibition showcases a curated selection of sculptures from the classical Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman eras.

· Visitors can also marvel at the intricate mosaic floors from the Hellenistic and early Christian periods.

· A special section is dedicated to the knightly era tombstones, dating from 1309 to 1522, which offer insights into the medieval chapter of Rhodes' history.

A notable feature of the museum is:

the Fikellura style boxes, dating back to 550−530 BCE, which represent a significant category of archaic East Greek and Ionian craftsmanship. The exhibit aims to illuminate the pivotal discoveries on Rhodes that enhance our understanding of its ancient past.
Two early classical Greek sculptures known as kouroi from Kameiros, created between 550 and 530 BCE.
A collection of pottery called Chalcidian ware from the 6th century BCE, originating from the ancient Rhodian settlement of Vroulia.
A Laconian hydria, a water vessel depicting a conflict between heroes, also from the 6th century BCE.
A funerary stele featuring the figures of Krito and Timarista from around 420 to 410 BCE, showcasing two standing female forms.
Calliarista’s Grave Stele: Features Calliarista seated with her attendant who holds beauty items. The top is a triangular pediment supported by columns, dating back to around 350 BCE.
Marble Head of Helios: Crafted in the latter half of the 2nd century BCE, this piece represents the sun god.
Marble Figurine of Aphrodite Bathing: This small statue, from between the 2nd and 1st centuries BCE, depicts the goddess of love and beauty during her bath.

Exhibition Highlights

In the courtyard opposite the entrance, there’s a sculpture resembling a lion with a bull’s head from the late Hellenistic era. Adjacent to the early Christian basilica of Arkasa Karpathos lies a floor decorated with intricate mosaics. Another mosaic piece from Arkasa Karpathos is set in the inner courtyard leading to the museum’s storage and the first-floor gallery.

Inside, the facility houses a spacious patient room, a dining area, and an archaeological collection. The patient room displays knightly tomb reliefs, crests, and a Roman sarcophagus serving as the tomb for Grand Master Cornegiano. Late antique tombstones from Nisyros are featured in the dining area.

In the south-facing colonnade, guests can explore an array of Rhodian sculptures, spanning from archaic times to the Roman era. Two prominent kouroi from Kamiros are the centerpiece of the archaic collection, which interestingly occupies what used to be the kitchen area of the Knights' Hospitaller infirmary. Timariste’s Room. Descending from the archaic display leads to Timariste’s chamber, showcasing ancient tombstones. Atrium’s Trophy Vase: In the atrium’s southern alcove, a trophy vase with a mosaic floor captivates visitors. The following three chambers house Hellenistic statues, including the notable figure of a celestial Aphrodite.

Across fifteen rooms facing north and west, visitors can explore an array of vases and small objects dated from the 9th to the 4th century BCE. Notable amongst these artifacts are amphoras adorned with animal motifs against light backgrounds and intricately engraved caskets featuring inscriptions. In rooms 14 and 15, a collection of black-figure and red-figure pottery from the 6th to the 4th century BCE is showcased. Furthermore, room 8 houses an exquisite selection of Mycenaean jewelry as well as a hoard of silver coins from the Hellenistic period.

In the gardens of the museum, visitors can find an impressive display of Hellenistic period art, including a statue of Nike and various intricate relief sculptures.

Museum History

The Rhodes Archaeological Museum’s inaugural exhibition dates back to 1914, arranged by an Italian archaeological team. The initial collection featured an array of items spanning from prehistoric to Mycenaean artifacts, alongside geometric and archaic vases, classical sculptures, epigraphs, a series of rhythmically patterned amphora stamps, various coins, and a selection of ethnographic artifacts.

Major refurbishments were carried out after World War II to refill sections of a damaged building. The Italians had previously demolished internal walls to display Mycenaean artifacts in a large, unified area. This time, the building’s west side and room dividers were reconstructed.

Travel Tips

A journey from the downtown area to the museum can be completed in roughly 25 to 30 minutes on foot. For those preferring public transport, the closest bus stop is «Mandarakis,» just a 7-minute walk from the museum. This stop services bus lines 012, 015, 016, 018, 062, 064, 103, 109, 113, 114, 115, 118, 297, 362, 365.

Tips

To explore Rhodes' top sites, consider a universal ticket for 10 euros with a concession rate of 5 euros. This pass grants access to the Grand Masters Palace, the Decorative Arts Collection, and the Panagia tou Kastrou Cathedral.
Winter season: November 1st to March 31st.
Summer season: April 1st to October 31st.
Epigraphic and Prehistoric Collections: Availability: Summer only. —Hours: Daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Archaic Pithoi Exhibition: Availability: Summer, Mondays to Fridays. —Hours: Noon to 1 PM.
The museum grounds feature a quaint pond with fish and a pavilion, perfect for cooling off on warm days.
Make sure to explore the entire venue to discover the enchanting outdoor garden adorned with an Eastern motif.
The museum has opted for wide-open windows instead of air conditioning, which may not suffice against the heat. It’s advisable to arrive early when it’s cooler.

Guests can enjoy free entry to the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes on these select days: March 6th, April 18th, May 18th, the last weekend of September, and national holidays.

Holiday Schedule

Closed Days:— New Year’s Day (Jan 1) — March 25 — Labor Day (May 1) — Christmas (Dec 25 & 26)