Rhodes - My First Wonder of the World

What remains of the Colossus of Rhodes

As my second year on the road ended, I looked back at where I've been and what was next. My thirst for knowledge, to learn and explore was brighter than ever. I continued to seek out ancient sites and civilizations. Year three started on a cruise ship along the West African coast. Here I visited places that were integral to the Atlantic Slave Trade movement. Next up was Italy, where I walked through the remains of Pompeii, destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 79AD. July landed me in Greece which I have written about in previous posts. As my time in Greece was coming to an end, there was one place that I made sure to visit - The island of Rhodes.

Rhodes is one of the most historically significant islands in Greece, famed for its strategic location in the southeastern Aegean and its role as a cultural and commercial hub since antiquity. Positioned at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Rhodes was a vital naval and trade center. Known for the Colossus of Rhodes, its schools of philosophy and rhetoric, and its role as a cultural beacon in the Hellenistic world. The Knights Hospitaller fortified the island, leaving behind castles, palaces, and the walled Medieval City. Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Italian cultures all left their mark, creating a rich architectural and cultural tapestry.

With only eight hours to explore the old town, I opened up the MyGPS city app and began my self guided walking tour,

Marine Gate stands as a dramatic entry point into the walled town of roads, complete with two large round towers. Built in 1478 during the era of the Knights Hospitaller, its narrow space between the sea and the walls made it difficult for any army to gather.

Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes - It served as the administrative core of the Order of the Knights of Saint John and the centerpiece of the Knights' Quarter. Nearly destroyed by an explosion in 1856, it was restored by the Italians. The highlight are the many Roman mosaics displayed in various rooms.

Fort of St. Nicholas was originally built by the Knights of Saint John as a guard tower in the 15th century. Following the siege of Rhodes, the tower was fortified and played a crucial role in enabling the Knights to resist Turkish attacks in the 15th and 16th century until the city fell in 1522.

However, I saved the best for last. I walked past the fort to what remains of the Colossus of Rhodes. The Colossus of Rhodes was a monumental statue of the sun god Helios, erected around 280 BC and is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. it was constructed to celebrate the successful defense of Rhodes against an attack by Demetrius I of Macedon. The construction of the Colossus lasted for 12 years, but the statue was destroyed a few decades later in 226 BC by an earthquake.

The seven wonders of the world is a list created by ancient Greek travelers and scholars of the most extraordinary man‑made structures they knew, describing them as "must‑see marvels" of their time. They are:

• Colossus of Rhodes

• Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

• Mausoleum of Halicarnassus

• Lighthouse of Alexandria

• Great Pyramid of Giza

• Statue of Zeus at Olympia

• Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Fun Facts about the Colossus of Rhodes

The Colossus of Rhodes: Six Facts About the Wonder of Ancient World - GreekReporter.com

• It was the inspiration of the Statue of Liberty. Recreated photos depict the Colossus of Rhodes as having a crown and torch. There is also a plaque inside the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty that is inscribed with a sonnet title “The New Colossus, not like the brazen giant of Greek fame.”

• The statue was actually built with an iron frame

• In the 7th century A.D., the Arabs conquered Rhodes and dismantled any remnant of the Colossus of Rhodes after it was toppled by an earthquake and later sold the once beautiful statue as scrap metal.