Rhodes, Greece
Rhodes, the largest of Greece’s Dodecanese islands, is known for its beach resorts and archeological ruins. This medieval Crusader City is dominated by the Palace of the Grand Masters, with cobbled streets that lead to the medieval Street of the Knights, the bustling bazaar and a lively harbor that is a center of the international yachting scene. The palace was originally built in the late 7th century as a Byzantine citadel. During Italian occupation, it became a summer home for the King of Italy, and later for Mussolini, who died before ever setting foot inside. In 1947, the Treaty of Peace with Italy (one of the Paris Peace Treaties) directed the recently established Italian Republic to transfer the Dodecanese Islands to Greece.
Spectacular pebble mosaics cover the floors of the Palace, and are everywhere in the town of Rhodes - covering pavements, shop entrance ways, hotel foyers and cafe floors.
