RAMPART TOWER

This magnificent walk gives an idea of the defensive work carried out by the Knights of the Order of Saint John, based on pre-existing Byzantine fortifications: the ramparts they erected are more than 4 km long, 8-10 m high, and in places up to 12 m thick! The Knights topped the walls with high watchtowers bearing the coats of arms of each of the Languages: each Inn was in fact responsible for defending a section of the medieval ramparts.

The circular tour follows a clockwise direction and starts with the most important inn, the Auberge de la Langue de France, in charge of watching over and defending the ramparts between the Amboise gate and the Arsenal gate. La Langue de Castilla then took care of the ramparts overlooking the port, up to the Saint Catherine's Gate, which guarded access to the commercial port. Then came the Langue d'Italia, which managed a section on the sea as far as the Carretto bastion, where it was relayed by the Langue de Provence, as far as the Porte Saint-Jean, also known as the Red Gate. The Language of England defended the walls between the latter, the Saint Athanasius Gate and the tower of the Virgin Mary, where the Language of Spain took over until the Spanish Tower. Finally, the Langue d'Auvergne was responsible for defending the fortifications up to the bastion of Saint-Georges, where the guards of the Langue d'Allemagne buckled the loop, as far as the Amboise gate. You will see these different sections and their coats of arms by following this tour of the ramparts. Among the notable constructions that you will be able to admire during the visit, the gate of Amboise is the most impressive of the defensive system. Built in 1512, it is flanked by two round towers and was ordered by Grand Master Emery d'Amboise. An arch bridge leads to it from outside the ramparts. All along the circuit, the views of the medieval city and the sea are magnificent. Before finishing this itinerary, be sure to take a walk in the green moat surrounding the old town. The access is free and you will be in a quiet place in pits transformed into sumptuous gardens where bougainvilleas and oleanders punctuate the lawn with touches of colour. All along these ditches dug in the rock and about 15-20 m wide, you will see stone balls fired by Ottoman gunners during the long siege of Rhodes that led to the capture of the city in 1522.