The square is situated within the medieval Old Town of Rhodes, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Of the 1,673 Jews deported from Rhodes in 1944, only 151 survived.
The square was formally renamed to honor the victims following the end of World War II.
The central fountain's pebble mosaic design depicts two seahorses, a common motif in Dodecanese folk art.
The site remains a focal point for annual memorial services held by the international Jewish community.
Jewish Martyrs Square, known locally as Plateia Evreon Martiron, serves as the primary memorial site for the Sephardic Jewish community of Rhodes. The square features a distinct black-and-white pebble mosaic fountain in its center, representing the nautical history of the island. It marks the location where, in July 1944, the Nazis assembled the Jewish population of Rhodes before deporting them to Auschwitz-Birkenau. A bronze menorah memorial monument stands at the site to commemorate the 1,673 Jews from Rhodes and Kos who were killed during the Holocaust. The surrounding area remains the heart of the historic La Juderia (Jewish Quarter). Several buildings in the square retain traditional Rhodian architectural elements, including arched doorways and thick stone walls.
The central fountain provides a clear angle that captures both the memorial plaque and the historic architecture of the square.
Visit during the early morning hours to avoid the intense midday heat and large tour groups.
Walk the narrow side streets surrounding the square to see the restored architectural details of the former Jewish neighborhood.
Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Kahal Shalom Synagogue, the oldest functioning synagogue in Greece.
Do not treat the memorial monument as a casual seating area or a background for inappropriate photography.
Maintain a respectful and quiet demeanor, as this is a site of historical tragedy and active commemoration.
