Kokkini Porta

What secrets does the Kokkini Porta hold? We’re standing before the Kokkini Porta, also known as the Red Gate. It’s the first building you see after entering Rhodes’s Medieval City through St. John’s Gate. This place isn’t just a gate. It’s a time capsule, a vibrant tapestry woven from the lives of knights, Turkish families, Greeks, and Jewish individuals who all called this place home. Imagine a knight, the guardian of this very gate, standing watch centuries ago. After the city fell in 1522, Turkish families moved in, adding their own threads to the tapestry. Later, Greek and Jewish families shared the space, a testament to the surprising harmony that existed within these ancient walls. It’s remarkable to think of these diverse families, with their different backgrounds and beliefs, raising their children together. The Kokkini Porta witnessed it all. The name “Kokkini Porta Rossa” comes from the Italian and Greek words for “red door”. It echoes the local nickname for St. John’s Gate, a tribute to the knights who defended it. The hotel you see incorporated into the gate today brings another layer to this rich history. This boutique hotel, lovingly restored by Nikos and Angela, breathes new life into these old stones. They’ve preserved the spirit of the past, naming each suite after a former resident. The Deniz Suite, for instance, boasts a hayat, a traditional covered balcony. Picture yourself there, overlooking the castle walls and the restored Church of Saint John, just as the inhabitants of centuries past might have done. The Kokkini Porta has seen so much history unfold. It stands as a reminder of the diverse cultures and lives that have intertwined within the Medieval City of Rhodes. Its red door invites you to step into the past, to experience a piece of this vibrant history for yourself.