Gate of the Arsenal

The Arsenal of the Order spread over the area of modern Symi Square. One of the large vaulted storerooms where the equipment and timber for the Order's warships was kept is still standing, and is known as Tholaros or Armoury of De Milly, from the arms of that master set over its door. In medieval times the sea apparently penetrated into this area, a remnant of the ancient channel connecting the Great Harbour to the nearby Military Harbour (modern Mandraki).

The Gate of the Arsenal opens towards the great harbour and was flanked by two 14th-century square towers which were subsequently modified before their demolition by the Turkish administration in 1910. The south tower was taller, and displayed the arms of grand master Aubusson, probably marking the extensive repairs of the sea wall after torrential rainfall in 1476. The north tower carried the arms  of grand master Heredia, Knight Hospitaller Domenico d'Allemagna and rich Rhodian entrepreneur Dragonetto Clavelli (late 14th c.) but also those of the last grand master to rule Rhodes, Philippe Villiers de l'Isle-Adam (1521-22).

The large span of the gate, almost 10 metres wide, allowed the easy passage of timber  but  also -probably- of the  ships themselves brought in for repairs. By the 19th century the Gate of the Arsenal had been sealed; it was reopened by the Italians in the first half of the 20th century.