Castle of Kritinia, Castle ruin on Rhodes island, Greece
The Castle of Kritinia is a medieval fortress ruin on a hilltop on the west coast of Rhodes island, in Greece. Its roughly rectangular layout includes two towers and the remains of a chapel with 16th-century frescoes inside the walls.
The castle was built starting in 1472 by the Knights of Saint John as a defense against Ottoman attacks, and construction took around 50 years to complete. In the early 20th century, the Italians also used some buildings within the walls during their period of control over Rhodes.
A rental car is the easiest way to reach the site, as the roads leading up the hill can be narrow and there is no direct public transport. Visiting in the morning helps avoid the midday heat, and sturdy footwear is useful for walking on uneven stone surfaces.
The coats of arms of several Grand Masters of the Knights of Saint John are still visible on the tower walls, each placed on the section built during that master's leadership. The castle was originally laid out across three levels, with each level linked to a different Grand Master.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
