The Street of the Knights ("Od? s Ippot? n") is lined with many inns that housed the Crusader Order. Recognized as one of the most intact medieval streets in the world, it features buildings made of finely carved sandstone, presenting a single facade that culminates in an impressive double arch that spans the road at its highest point. The masonry is interspersed with small square windows and elegant arched doorways, wide enough to accommodate a horse and carriage or a knight on horseback. Intricate carvings, memorial plaques and other detailed ornaments enhance the historic atmosphere.
During the day, the street is bustling with tourists and large groups, which can somewhat overshadow the historical atmosphere of the knights gathering for meetings or performing their duties. However, at night the atmosphere is transformed; The soft waxy glow of street lamps, reminiscent of medieval oil lamps, casts a magical aura that transports you to the 14th century.
At the beginning of the street, on the right (north) side, stands the Inn of Italy, marked above its entrance by a plaque in honour of the Grand Master Fabrizio del Carretto (1513-1521). Nearby is the smaller palace of Philippe Villiers de l'Isle-Adam, Carretto's immediate successor and Grand Master who was overthrown by Sultan Suleiman in 1522. Further up the hill, across the road, is a quaint garden with an Ottoman fountain, part of the courtyard of the 15th-century Villaragut mansion, restored in 2002 but accessible only by application to the Archaeological Museum. Directly opposite is the very ornate Inn of France, which houses a magnificent life-size stone carving of a knight – perhaps originally a tombstone – set right in the courtyard. This courtyard also houses a chapel from the time of Grand Master Raymond Berenguer (1365-1374), although the facade facing the street dates back more than a century later.
During the day, the street is bustling with tourists and large groups, which can somewhat overshadow the historical atmosphere of the knights gathering for meetings or performing their duties. However, at night the atmosphere is transformed; The soft waxy glow of street lamps, reminiscent of medieval oil lamps, casts a magical aura that transports you to the 14th century.
At the beginning of the street, on the right (north) side, stands the Inn of Italy, marked above its entrance by a plaque in honour of the Grand Master Fabrizio del Carretto (1513-1521). Nearby is the smaller palace of Philippe Villiers de l'Isle-Adam, Carretto's immediate successor and Grand Master who was overthrown by Sultan Suleiman in 1522. Further up the hill, across the road, is a quaint garden with an Ottoman fountain, part of the courtyard of the 15th-century Villaragut mansion, restored in 2002 but accessible only by application to the Archaeological Museum. Directly opposite is the very ornate Inn of France, which houses a magnificent life-size stone carving of a knight – perhaps originally a tombstone – set right in the courtyard. This courtyard also houses a chapel from the time of Grand Master Raymond Berenguer (1365-1374), although the facade facing the street dates back more than a century later.
Translated automatically from Ukrainian. View original
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