Rhodes - Discover the Unknown Rhodes

T H E K N I G H T S O F R H O D E S
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During the eleventh century in Jerusalem a group of rich
merchants from Amalfi built an inn for pilgrims which was run
by Benedictine monks. Later the monks created an autonomous
order dedicated to the care of the sick, but also to the defence of
the Holy Land, called the
Hospitallers of the Order of St John
of Jerusalem. The order revealed its
military character during the
crusades (milites Christi) and
thenceforth its members would be
called Knights.
Following the Moslem conquest of
Palestine the Knights were expelled
and for a brief time found
hospitality on Cyprus. In 1306 they
were recruited by the Genovese
admiral Vignolo de Vignoli to
conquer Rhodes, at the time under
Byzantine dominion. In 1309 the
Knights succeeded in occupying
Rhodes and subsequently all the
islands of the Dodecanese,
becoming absolute masters for
more than two centuries with the
blessing of the Roman pontificate.
At the head of the Knights of
Rhodes was the Grand Master who
commanded the representatives of
the seven European tongues
(nations): England, France, Portugal,
Germany, Spain, Italy and Provence.