RHODES

Evening Star, Issue 23817, 22 February 1941, Page 19

RHODES

THE ISLAND CF THE KNIGHTS OF ST. JOHN [Written by G. .Mann, lor Ibe ‘ Evening Star.’J In the Medilei'i ll <■ si ll Sen. 11l miles off the coast of Turkey in Asia, lies tlm historic island ol Rhodes —the island of the. Knights oi St. John It is an Italian possession, and as such has been subject to British bombardments. In the struggle between Italy and 'turkey the former occupied the island on May 4, 1912, and Turkey lost it finally by the treaty which followed. I'our hundred years it had been with the lurk. Will Tuikey now join the Allies and seize her former possession ? It not, it seems certain that this strategic island will bo taken by the Allied forces. l‘or it is in a very important position on the route from the ports of Egypt and Palestine to Brindisi, on the heel of Italy, or Constantinople, in Turkey. In the mists of time Rhodes saw Phoenician, Mycenian, Egyptian, and Dorian civilisations. The Greek and the Roman Empires included the island, and St. Paul mentioned it in his travels. AVhen he saw Rhodes ho would have seen the remnants of the marvellous statue, “the Colossus of Rhodes.” It was known as Helios, a personification of the Sun God, but it fell in the great earthquake of 224 b.c., and St. Paul would not see the statue as it stood originally. The remains were sold to a Jew in 656 a.d., and 900 camels were required to move it. In both the Greek period (third and fourth centuries) and the Roman period following, Rhodes was an important port with a population which grew to 80,000. It became independent m 1234, and the period following is of intense interest to us. From it date the Knights of St. John and the Red Cross efforts which are so prominent and necessary in war to-day. THE KNIGHTS OF ST. JOHN. In 1308 the Chevalier de Malta took the island, and from then till 1522 the Knights of St. John made it their headquarters. From here they waged their crusading wars against the Turks in the Holy Land Even when the Crusaders were defeated on the mainland tho island still remained in the hands of the Knight of the “ Order of Rhodes,” There were three groups of brothers in the Order of Rhodes —warriors, pilgrims, and friars. Groups of various nationalities were responsible for tho defence. Hence there was a palace of languages—of France, of Auvergne, of Aragon, of Spain, of England, and of Germany. But Italian was the official language. When the Order of Templars was suppressed by the Rope their wealth fell to the Order of Rhodes. Great monuments, churches, walls, and castles were erected during this period, and the wealth of the Crusaders poured into the city. THE COMING OF THE TURK. But a great blow to Christianity came. Sulaiman the Magnificent besieged Rhodes in July, 1522, with 100,000 men. There were only some hundred knights and 5,000 to 6,000 mercenaries on the island. There was a great war in Europe between Charles VI. and Frances 1., and tho Continent had forgotten the Isle of the Knights of the Crusaders. On Christmas morning the Mussulmans climbed up all the towers and churches, and the cry of “ Allah” was heard on all sides. The last of the Grand Masters left on January 1, 1523. taking the relics of tho saints to Italy. A garrison was maintained by the Turks, the best land was given to Turkish peasants, commerce decayed, and the churches were turned into mosques. With the appearance of oriental clothes the change from European civilisation to Asiatic became manifest. With the coming of the Turk general decay set in, but the indifference of tho Turk served to preserve the well-built buildings and walls from destruction. Tho return of the island to Christian rule came with the victory in 1913. ITALIAN ENTERPRISE. The island has a glorious climate, rarely below 12 Centigrade in winter or above 28 Centigrade in summer. It is an island of romance and legend, and very beautiful. For eight months of the year the water is warm enough for swimming. The flora is marvellous. Flowers bloom profusely all the year round. The very name Rhodes is said to bo derived from Greek rhodon (roses). From Rhodes you may visit other smaller islands of historic and religious interest. Patinos, the isle of St. John the Divine, is one of them. So Italy hag exploited these attractions to the full. No cleaner eastern town could be visited than Rhodes. Enter the harbour and immediately you find yourself in an old walled city of mediaeval times. Walk along the waterfront below tho walls and enter where the knights of old came.* Go along the clean, cobbled streets of tho knights, where every house still hears the coat of arms or some memorial of some groat house in Europe. Reach the square, where there is a mosque and (lie Hospital of the Knights of Rhodes—on every hand there is marvellous sculpture. Look to the right of the Place du Drapoau and there is u little Palace of I’Evcque with a Latin door decorated with a statue of .St, Francis d’Assisi Next is the Cathedral of St. Jean des Chevaliers of the fourteenth century reconstructed in 1925. Close by is the Palace of the Grand Masters. Each arch of the doorway contains an ancient sacrophago dedicated to the memory of one of the Grand Masters of the Order of Jerusalem. But it is impossible to sec everything of this grand treasury of mediaeval art. Pass out through three walls still in excellent condition, over the moats and into the new town climbing the hill. It blends beautifully with the old. Lookover the towers and minarets of the old city and picture the scenes of Crusading days. Look now to the Italian naval units in tho harbour, which fire a salvo at 8 a.m. each morning. And everyone must cease work while the soldiers on guard march out to the parade ground. Look at the immense Hotel des Boses with its copper-coloured tower visible for miles out to sea, and remember that Italian enterprise has recreated this decaying island as one of absorbing interest and pleasure to the traveller. THE CLOSED DOOR. Take a last look, but some lovely oranges (choicer than tho famous Jaffa oranges from tho Holy Land), and cross the moats, pass along the clean, cobbled streets once more and along L’Allce do la Roino to Porto St. Athanase, called the “ closed door.” Hero pause and think. By this door Snlaiinau entered the city in 1523. Orders were given that the door should henceforth bo closed. A notice, still visible, states that on the day the door is opened the town will be lost to Islam,

It remained closed for nearly four centuries, but in 1922 it was opened by Italy. Bass nut through the door. Think once more. Will the door sec the return of the Turk now? Will a new Suliaman arise to revive the centuriesold claim? Or will men from the lands “ down under,” from the newest countries on earth, in their twentieth century crusade, enter and become the modern Knights of Rhodes?