Church of Our Lady of Victory, Rhodes

Known locally as Santa Maria della Vittoria, this engaging neo-Gothic Catholic church has a storied past marked by periods of construction, destruction, and restoration. Originally built during the rule of the Knights over the island and managed by the Franciscans, the church faced destruction after the Knights were forced to leave after the Ottoman conquest in 1522. It wasn't until 1719, when their mission was permitted to return to Rhodes, that plans for rebuilding commenced, with the church being reconstructed in 1743 at its present location.

The building experienced a significant expansion in 1851, establishing it as the main Catholic Church in Rhodes. However, disaster struck again in 1926 when an earthquake caused the bell tower to collapse. This led to a new phase of renovations, culminating in 1929 with the construction of a new façade, which was redesigned to incorporate elements reflecting the church's crusader heritage, including a Maltese cross. Furthermore, in 1937, Rhodian marble was added to the front of the main altar, enhancing its grandeur.

Today, Santa Maria della Vittoria is used by various foreign denominations and is usually left open, allowing visitors to enter from either the front or the back.