The Siege of Rhodes in 1480: The Ottomans at the Gates
November 8, 2024
Life in Ottoman Rhodes: Between Tradition and Transformation
November 17, 2024
Table of Contents
Introduction
In the summer of 1522, the fate of Rhodes hung by a thread. The mighty Ottoman Empire had returned, stronger and more determined than ever, to claim the island from the Knights of Saint John. Unlike the failed attempt of 1480, this time the Ottomans were led by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent himself.
The Siege of Rhodes 1522 would not be a skirmish—it would be a calculated and relentless campaign, aimed at extinguishing Christian rule in the Eastern Mediterranean once and for all.
For six agonizing months, the island’s defenders resisted wave after wave of assaults. Their determination was fierce, but the enemy was overwhelming in both numbers and firepower. The siege would test not only their military strength, but their endurance, faith, and unity. It would also mark the final chapter in the era of the Knights on Rhodes.
A Renewed Ottoman Threat
The Ottoman Empire never forgot its failure in 1480. Under Suleiman the Magnificent, the empire had grown larger, wealthier, and more disciplined. Determined to finish what Mehmed II had started, Suleiman launched a colossal military campaign against Rhodes.
In June 1522, a fleet of over 200 ships landed on the island, carrying more than 100,000 soldiers and elite engineers. The city’s fortifications, reinforced after the earlier siege, were formidable—but not impenetrable.
The Siege of Rhodes in 1522 began with methodical precision. Ottoman troops encircled the city, cut off supplies, and began bombarding the walls with heavy artillery. Their plan was clear: wear down the defenders, breach the bastions, and force surrender.
The Long and Desperate Defense
The Knights, led by Grand Master Philippe Villiers de L’Isle Adam, commanded roughly 7,000 defenders—including local Rhodians, mercenaries, and volunteers from across Europe. Their defense was centered on the city’s bastions, each one manned by Knights from a specific “Langue” or regional division: Spain, Italy, France, England, and more.
The Ottomans focused their attacks on the bastions of Spain, England, and Italy. By late September, the bastion of Spain had fallen—one of the most devastating blows of the Siege of Rhodes in 1522. Fighting was intense and personal; both sides suffered massive casualties. Disease, hunger, and exhaustion set in. Still, the defenders refused to give up.
Despite the odds, Rhodes held for months. The city’s people supported the Knights, digging trenches, carrying supplies, and offering prayers. Yet the constant bombardments, mining operations, and psychological pressure wore them down.
Surrender and Departure
By December, it was clear that Rhodes could no longer resist. Entire sectors of the wall had collapsed. Ammunition was scarce. The sick and wounded overwhelmed the hospitals. The Knights prepared for a final stand—but then came an unexpected move.
Suleiman, recognizing the bravery of his enemies and perhaps seeking to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, offered terms of honorable surrender. On December 20, 1522, an agreement was signed. The Knights would be allowed to depart freely, taking their belongings and relics with them. On January 1, 1523, they boarded ships and sailed away—defeated, but not disgraced.
The Siege of Rhodes in 1522 had ended not with annihilation, but with a dignified exit. The Ottomans took the city, but its spirit would travel with the Knights to a new home: Malta.
Conclusion
The Siege of Rhodes in 1522 marked the end of an era. For more than two centuries, the Knights had ruled the island, transforming it into a bastion of Christian resistance. Their fall was not just a military defeat, but a shift in the power dynamics of the Mediterranean. Rhodes entered its Ottoman chapter—one that would last until the 20th century.
Though the walls eventually fell, the siege remains a symbol of resilience. It reminds us that even in the face of overwhelming force, courage and honor can shape the memory of a place long after the cannons fall silent.
The above article is based on the book ‘Ρόδος’ authored by Theofanis Bogiannos. The article is published with his permission.
