Panagias Gate

Have you ever wondered why this grand gate is called Panagias Gate? It’s a more recent creation, you see, built in the 1950s by the Greek administration to allow vehicles into the historic walled city of Rhodes. The Italian administration had envisioned it as part of the city’s master plan. But the gate’s name, “Gate of the Virgin Mary”, comes from the nearby church of Panagia tou Bourgou, also known as the Virgin of the Burgh or Our Lady of Mercy. This church stands just outside the gate and is one of the most distinctive landmarks in the medieval city. It used to be one of the first cathedrals built on the island and is the oldest church that still stands in Rhodes, although only parts of it remain today. The church was built in the early 14th century when Helion de Villeneuve was the Grand Master of the Knights of Saint John. It was a magnificent basilica, built of stone and with three aisles, constructed in the Gothic style. Over the years, six more side chapels were added and seven arched tombs were built on the northern wall. The cathedral continued to be used until the early 16th century. In 1522, during the siege of Rhodes by the Ottoman army led by Suleiman the Magnificent, the church was sadly destroyed. Only three vaulted arches and fragments of the chapels have survived to this day. Imagine the grandeur of this grand building. Though only its ruins remain, these ruins remain highly impressive. Many cultural events bring this historic site to life, especially in the summer when the arches are beautifully illuminated in the evening. So, as you stand here at Panagias Gate, think about the history that has unfolded around you, a place both of destruction and of celebration, a testament to the constant evolution and resilience of the city of Rhodes.