Street of the Knights

Overview

The Street of the Knights (Odos Ippoton) is considered the best-preserved medieval street in Europe — a perfectly straight, cobblestoned lane lined with the austere stone inns (auberges) where the Knights Hospitaller were housed by their language group.

Highlights

• Auberges: Seven inns of different "tongues" (France, Spain, Italy, England, Provence, Germany, Auvergne) line the street, each with carved coats of arms.
• Gothic Architecture: Pointed arches, carved stone doorways, and heraldic escutcheons create a remarkably intact medieval atmosphere.
• No Modern Intrusions: The street has been carefully preserved with no shops or modern signage.

History

Built in the 14th century, the street runs from the Hospital of the Knights (now the Archaeological Museum) uphill to the Palace of the Grand Master. Each inn housed knights from a specific linguistic region of the Order. The Italians meticulously restored the street in the 1930s.

Visitor Tips

• Free to Walk: The street itself is open at all hours and free to stroll.
• Morning Light: The eastern-facing facades are best lit in the morning.
• Duration: 15–30 minutes.