The neighborhood of Niochori has a unique place in the island’s history. After the ottoman occupation of the city in 1522, the Greek castle city passed to the ottoman domination, leading to the relocation of the Greek Rhodian neighborhoods outside the walls of the Old Town. In response, the island’s residents were gathered in eight suburbs, known as the “marasia” around the Old Town.

This name emerged by the Turkish word “maras” which means suburb. Each neighborhood had one central church that used to be the “square” of the settlement and the houses of the Turkish officers were scattered in every suburb to gain control. The word “marasia” has become synonym of the neighborhoods created around the Old Town after the Ottoman occupation.

At the northern tip of the island, on the 18th century, the eighth and newer marasi of Rhodes was created, Niochori. This neighborhood quickly stand out from the other suburbs due to its privileged position and the impressive buildings that decorated it. In Niochori consulates, public buildings and hotels were built and residencies of diplomats and embassies were constructed, making it up to this date the most cosmopolitan neighborhood of the island.