# Rhodes

> city on the homonymous island, Greece

**Wikidata**: [Q188731](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q188731)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodes_(city))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rhodes-q188731

## Summary
Rhodes is a city located on the island of the same name in Greece, serving as the capital of the Dodecanese regional unit. It is one of the most historically significant settlements in the Aegean Sea, known for its medieval architecture, multicultural heritage, and strategic importance throughout various historical periods.

## Key Facts
- Rhodes is located on the island of Rhodes in the South Aegean region of Greece.
- The city is part of the Rodos Municipality, which serves as its administrative headquarters.
- Coordinates: Latitude 36.433333333333, Longitude 28.216666666667.
- Population estimates vary: 54,562; 46,372; 53,640; 49,541; 23,599.
- Founded in approximately 408 BCE.
- Rhodes is home to numerous historical and religious sites, including Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Mehmet Agha Mosque, and St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral.
- Notable sports organizations based in Rhodes include Diagoras Rodos F.C. (founded March 25, 1905), Kolossos Rodou B.C. (founded 1963), and Rodos S.C. (founded 1968).
- The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Rhodes was established on August 14, 1897, and elevated to an archdiocese on March 28, 1928.
- The Church of the Evangelismos was built in 1924, while Panagia tou Kastrou dates back to the year 1000.
- Rhodes Footbridge is a notable infrastructure element within the city.
- La Juderia refers to the former Jewish quarter of the city.
- The Custodian of the Holy Land, a province of the Order of Friars Minor, has historical ties to Rhodes dating back to 1342.
- Rhodes was part of the Italian Aegean Islands from 1912 until 1947.
- The Rhodes sanjak was an Ottoman administrative province established in 1522.
- Rhodes became part of modern Greece following the establishment of the Dodecanese regional unit in 2011.
- The city is classified as a town within the broader settlement hierarchy.

## FAQs
### What is the history of Rhodes?
Rhodes has a long and complex history, beginning with its founding around 408 BCE. It was later ruled by various powers, including the Ottomans (from 1522) and Italians (from 1912 to 1947). Today, it is part of Greece and falls under the Dodecanese regional unit established in 2011.

### What are some notable landmarks in Rhodes?
Rhodes is home to several historically and culturally significant sites, including Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Mehmet Agha Mosque, St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral, the Church of the Evangelismos (built in 1924), and Panagia tou Kastrou (dating to 1000 CE). The Rhodes Footbridge and La Juderia, the former Jewish quarter, are also key landmarks.

### What sports organizations are based in Rhodes?
Rhodes hosts several sports clubs, including Diagoras Rodos F.C. (founded in 1905), Kolossos Rodou B.C. (established in 1963), and Rodos S.C. (founded in 1968). These organizations represent the city in football, basketball, and multi-sport competitions, respectively.

### What religious institutions are present in Rhodes?
Rhodes features a diverse array of religious institutions, including the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Rhodes (established in 1897 and elevated in 1928), the Church of the Evangelismos (1924), and Panagia tou Kastrou (1000 CE). The Custodian of the Holy Land, a Franciscan province, also has historical roots in the city dating to 1342.

### How is Rhodes administratively organized?
Rhodes is part of the Rodos Municipality in Greece and belongs to the Rhodes Regional Unit, which was created in 2011. It is also historically connected to the Rhodes sanjak, an Ottoman province established in 1522.

## Why It Matters
Rhodes holds immense historical, cultural, and geopolitical significance. As one of the largest islands in the Dodecanese, it has served as a crossroads of civilizations, from ancient Greek and Roman times through Byzantine, Ottoman, and Italian rule. Its well-preserved medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflects layers of cultural influence. Today, Rhodes plays a vital role in Greece’s tourism industry and maintains strategic importance in the Eastern Mediterranean due to its proximity to Turkey and the Middle East.

## Notable For
- Hosting one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe, recognized by UNESCO.
- Being a key strategic location in the Eastern Mediterranean throughout history.
- Its multicultural heritage shaped by Greek, Ottoman, and Italian influences.
- Home to significant religious sites such as the Mustafa Pasha Mosque and St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral.
- Serving as the headquarters for sports organizations like Diagoras Rodos F.C. and Kolossos Rodou B.C.
- The presence of the Custodian of the Holy Land, a Franciscan institution with roots dating to 1342.
- Being part of the Italian Aegean Islands from 1912 to 1947.
- The historical significance of La Juderia, the former Jewish quarter.
- Hosting the Rhodes Footbridge, a notable piece of urban infrastructure.

## Body

### History
Rhodes was founded around 408 BCE and quickly became a significant maritime and commercial hub in the ancient world. During the medieval period, it was the seat of the Knights Hospitaller, who constructed much of the surviving medieval architecture. The island was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1522 and remained under Ottoman control until it was ceded to Italy in 1912. Under Italian rule, Rhodes became part of the Italian Aegean Islands until 1947, when it was finally integrated into Greece. In 2011, it became part of the newly formed Rhodes Regional Unit.

### Administration and Geography
Rhodes is located in the South Aegean region of Greece. It is part of the Rodos Municipality and serves as the administrative center of the Rhodes Regional Unit, established in 2011. The city's geographic coordinates are approximately latitude 36.4333 and longitude 28.2167. The population varies depending on the source, with estimates ranging from 23,599 to 54,562.

### Religious and Cultural Sites
Rhodes is home to a diverse array of religious and cultural landmarks:
- Mustafa Pasha Mosque and Mehmet Agha Mosque are significant remnants of Ottoman rule.
- St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral, built in 1936, reflects the city's Catholic heritage.
- The Church of the Evangelismos was constructed in 1924.
- Panagia tou Kastrou, dating to 1000 CE, is one of the oldest churches on the island.
- La Juderia, the former Jewish quarter, highlights the multicultural history of the city.
- The Custodian of the Holy Land, a Franciscan province, has historical roots in Rhodes dating to 1342.

### Sports and Recreation
Rhodes supports a vibrant sports culture through several local organizations:
- Diagoras Rodos F.C., founded on March 25, 1905, is one of the oldest football clubs in Greece.
- Kolossos Rodou B.C., established in 1963, competes in Greek basketball leagues.
- Rodos S.C., founded in 1968, is a multi-sports club representing the city in various disciplines.

### Infrastructure and Urban Features
The Rhodes Footbridge is a notable piece of infrastructure connecting different parts of the city. The urban layout includes a mix of medieval, neoclassical, and modern elements, reflecting the city's layered history.

### Political and Administrative Context
Rhodes was historically part of the Rhodes sanjak, an Ottoman province established in 1522. Following the end of Italian rule in 1947, it was integrated into Greece. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Rhodes, established in 1897 and elevated in 1928, underscores the city's religious diversity.

### International and Historical Connections
Rhodes was part of the Italian Aegean Islands from 1912 until 1947. Its historical ties to the Custodian of the Holy Land, a Franciscan institution with origins in 1342, highlight its role in broader Mediterranean religious and cultural networks.

## References

1. [Source](https://perth.wa.gov.au/council/partnerships/sister-cities)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. MusicBrainz
4. 2021 Greek census
5. Greek census 1951
6. GeoNames
7. BBC Things
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. [Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands](https://biblio.hiu.cas.cz/records/43a12d13-4365-473f-b384-75f11c99ab24)