Alchemists

Alchemy in the Middle Ages was the science of exploring nature as well as the art of transforming one substance to another and it entailed elements of chemistry, physics, metallurgy, medicine, astrology, philosophy and mysticism.

Alchemists of this period search the “philosophical stone”, a magical substance, which can turn metals into gold, heal all illnesses and disorders as the elixir of life granting immortality to its possessor. Unfortunately, as many other things conceived by the alchemists, this only exists in the sphere of imagination.

Alchemy was limited in its healing possibilities in the 14th century, although the idea of producing gold was always very charming and tempting for mystic healers.

The arrival of Alchemists in Rhodes was noted in great numbers in the middle of the 15th century. There is a speculation that the reason for that was the search of mandrake (“mandragoras”), a kind of plant with human-like toxic root which was largely used in pharmacology in those times. Mandrake of Rhodes, however, is unique in the whole world with mauve flowers and its fruit resembling a golden-reddish apple. That’s why it was also called “satan’s apple”.

The Knights of the Order of St John did co-operate with the Alchemists having also been influenced by their philosophy which is demonstrated in various alchemistic and apocryphal symbols on their tombs. This is the reason why they hosted one of the most important alchemists of the times, Englishman George Ripley who, however they released very soon because his experiments annoyed the palace prior and other members of the clergy. Nevertheless, Bernard Trevisan, who wrote numerous works, lived the last years of his life and died in Rhodes in 1490. His most important works were "Verbum Dimissum" and "The Book of Chemistry".