Palace of the Grand Master enters winter schedule on 1 November
Published on 11/14/2026 at 16:59 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSWinter access and palace history
- The museum's winter regime began at the Palace of the Grand Master on 1 November 2026.
- The Byzantine Exhibition and Ancient Rodos exhibition are closed during the winter season.
- Construction of the palace began in the early 14th century under the Knights of Saint John.
- Rhodes forms part of the Medieval City recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Palace of the Grand Master in Rhodes entered its winter schedule on 1 November 2026, changing how visitors encounter the museum and its exhibitions. The fortified landmark, also called the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights, stands in the Medieval City of Rhodes, Greece.
Winter schedule changes access at the Rhodes palace
The winter schedule runs from 1 November 2026 until 31 March 2027. The museum is closed on Tuesdays during this period, while the Byzantine Exhibition and the Ancient Rodos exhibition are unavailable to visitors.
The main palace remains the subject of the seasonal access change, rather than a temporary closure of the whole monument. The ground floor continues to present permanent exhibitions about the history of Rhodes, while the upper floor displays mosaic floors and medieval furniture. The official museum page records the winter regime from 1 November.
For travellers planning a visit between 14 November and 14 December 2026, the practical consequence is clear: Tuesday is not a palace day, and two named exhibition areas cannot be included in the visit. The change also remains relevant beyond this news period because the official schedule continues through 31 March 2027.
The palace connects medieval Rhodes with Italian restoration
Construction began in the early 14th century, shortly after the Knights of Saint John settled on Rhodes. The building served as both the residence of the Grand Master and an administrative centre for the Order.
An explosion partially destroyed the structure in 1856. Italian authorities restored the monument during the early 20th century, and the interior received further work in the 1930s. The restoration explains why visitors now encounter medieval history alongside later architectural and decorative layers. The history of the palace and its restoration is documented by Hellenic Heritage.
The seasonal change therefore affects more than a timetable. It determines which parts of the museum can be seen while the building continues to combine a Knights-era fortress plan, twentieth-century reconstruction and collections drawn from Rhodes and neighbouring islands.
Rhodes heritage status places the change in wider context
The palace forms part of the Medieval City of Rhodes, whose fortifications expanded during the rule of the Hospitallers from 1309 to 1522. The city contains the upper town, lower town, walls, moat and the former acropolis area associated with the palace.
Inside, the upper floor includes mosaic floors transported from monuments on the island and mainly from Kos during the Italian restoration. The ground-floor displays cover Rhodes from its foundation in 408 BC to its conquest by the Ottomans in 1522. Those dates give the winter access change a direct connection with the historical span presented inside the building.
Visiting Palace of the Grand Master: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The winter schedule applies from 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027 at the Palace of the Grand Master in the Medieval City of Rhodes.
- Tuesday is the weekly closure during the winter season, and the Byzantine Exhibition and Ancient Rodos exhibition are closed.
- The monument is on the Street of the Knights in the Medieval City, with access on foot from the centre of Rhodes.
- The building has a central courtyard, high walls and monumental interiors, while the upper floor contains mosaic floors and medieval furniture.
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Frequently asked questions about Palace of the Grand Master
What changed at Palace of the Grand Master on 1 November 2026?
The winter schedule began on 1 November 2026 and continues until 31 March 2027. Tuesdays are closed, and the Byzantine Exhibition and Ancient Rodos exhibition are unavailable.
Where is Palace of the Grand Master and how do you get there?
The palace is on the Street of the Knights in the Medieval City of Rhodes. It can be reached on foot from the centre of Rhodes.
What is Palace of the Grand Master?
It is a medieval fortress and former residence and administrative centre of the Knights of Saint John. Construction began in the early 14th century, and the building was restored during the Italian period.
