The castle was officially known as Castello di Kritinia or Kastellos.
The structure served as a regional refuge for the local population during pirate attacks.
The outer walls were built to resist cannon fire, reflecting advancements in 16th-century military engineering.
The ruins display the heraldic crests of two Grand Masters of the Order of St. John, d'Aubusson and Amboise.
The hill location provided a strategic line-of-sight signal to other defensive towers along the west coast of Rhodes.
Kritinia Castle is a 16th-century fortification constructed by the Order of St. John of Jerusalem on the western coast of Rhodes. The site features a triple-level layout designed to protect the island from Ottoman naval raids. The current ruins include sections of the outer walls, a coat of arms of the Grand Masters of the Order, and the remnants of a small chapel. Positioned on a steep hill, the castle overlooks the Aegean Sea and several nearby islands. The architecture incorporates elements of Byzantine fortifications and later Venetian defensive modifications. Excavations have revealed structural foundations suggesting the site was built atop an older Byzantine-era watchtower. The location is currently an unmonitored archaeological site accessible to the public without formal entry controls. It serves as an example of Rhodes' defensive network prior to the fall of the island in 1522.
From the westernmost outer wall looking out toward the islands of Chalki and Alimia.
Wear sturdy hiking shoes as the terrain inside the ruins is uneven and rocky.
Bring water as there are no amenities or shade once inside the castle walls.
Be mindful of loose masonry and drop-offs along the outer perimeter walls.
Attempting to drive a large vehicle up the narrow, unpaved path leading directly to the summit.
Avoid climbing on the unstable masonry; respect the historical site by not removing stones.
