A historic estate in the Old Town of Rhodes
The property lies within the historic Old Town of Rhodes, near St George's Bastion, adjacent to the castle wall in the area once governed by the Spanish knights.
It is named after Fabrizio del Carretto, the Italian nobleman and 43rd Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller, whose coat of arms is still engraved on the castle wall within the grounds. The estate consists of three buildings totalling 900 square metres and a 750-square-metre garden.
Enclosed within the castle walls stands a chapel dating back to the Byzantine era. The main building, constructed between the 13th and 14th centuries by the Knights of St John Hospitaller, once housed Spanish knights who defended the city during two Ottoman sieges. The property also contained the living quarters of the Spanish knights and included access routes to the top of the fortification walls. Numerous Spanish insignia remain visible throughout the estate, engraved on walls and integrated into various architectural elements.
A site of historic conflict
During the second siege of Rhodes in 1522 by the Ottoman Turks, after the attackers planted explosives underground and created a breach in the wall, this strategic area became fiercely contested. It changed hands three times between the Spanish knights and the Ottoman forces. Ultimately, the Spanish knights regained and held the area, a key moment in the city's defence.
After the city eventually fell to the Ottomans, the structures were altered to reflect Arabic architectural influences, and the chapel's entrance was sealed. During this period, the buildings served as residences for high-ranking Ottoman officials (pashas) and Muslim religious scholars (imams).
Restoration for the future
Today, all structures on the property are undergoing meticulous restoration, using original materials and faithfully blending the diverse architectural styles that have shaped the Old Town through the centuries.
See the rooms
Inside a UNESCO World Heritage city
The Medieval City of Rhodes is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. From the estate you walk to the Street of the Knights, the Palace of the Grand Master, Hippocrates Square and the harbour, through lanes lined with cafés, artisans and hidden courtyards.
Discover Rhodes