Clock Tower (Roloi)

The Clock Tower, known locally as Roloi, rises above Orfeos Street in the Old Town of Rhodes, in the South Aegean region of Greece. The original tower dates to the Byzantine and Knights' periods, when it served as a watch tower over the town, and it was repeatedly damaged and rebuilt after earthquakes, with the present structure largely reconstructed in the 19th century. The tower stands close to the Gate of the Virgin Mary near the Palace of the Grand Master, and it is one of the most distinctive silhouettes on the Old Town skyline. Visitors enter at the base, pay a small fee of about 5 EUR for adults, and climb a narrow spiral staircase of stone and wood steps to a viewing terrace. A small cafe-bar sits at the top in some seasons, serving drinks while guests look out. From the terrace, the view takes in the tangle of rooftops, minarets and domes of the Old Town, the harbour and the walls, and on clear days the coast of Turkey. The tower is also a convenient location for photographing the Mosque of Suleiman and the surrounding streets. A visit lasts about 30 minutes. Opening hours run roughly 09:00 to 20:00 in summer, and earlier closing applies in winter. Late afternoon offers the most atmospheric light across the terracotta roofs, and early morning is quieter. The stairs are narrow, so queues can form on busy days when groups try to pass in both directions, and only a limited number of people fit on the terrace at once. Visitors should hold the handrail and watch their step, and the climb is not recommended for people with limited mobility. Photographs through the small windows are possible on the way up.