Saint Nicholas Fortress

Rhodes, Greece, Greece

---

Saint Nicholas Fortress is a medieval coastal fort located at the entrance to Mandraki Harbor in Rhodes.

Built by the Knights Hospitaller between 1464 and 1467, it was a key part of the island’s defenses, protecting the harbor and the medieval city from naval attacks. The fortress stands on the site of an earlier church dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors, from which it takes its name. It suffered damage during the Ottoman siege of 1480 and an earthquake in 1481 but was later strengthened and rebuilt.

A lighthouse was added in the 17th century and continues to serve as a prominent landmark. Today, Saint Nicholas Fortress is one of Rhodes’ most recognizable monuments. Its impressive stone architecture, harbor setting, and connection to the medieval fortifications of Rhodes make it a popular attraction and an enduring symbol of the island’s maritime history.