Colossus Of Rhodes To Rise Again?

George Barboutis, Rodos municipality representative of the Colossus of Rhodes project.

Municipal authorities on Rhodes, Greece, are considering to revive the ancient wonder of the Colossus of Rhodes to a current wonder of the 21st century in an aim to strengthen the island’s tourism competitiveness.

Yiorgos Barboutis, Rodos municipality representative of the Colossus of Rhodes project, recently launched the multi-language website http://kolossosproject.org/ that explains the initiative in detail.

The idea of reviving the ancient wonder of the Colossus of Rhodes has been under discussion by local authorities on the island since 1999 but a decision was never put forward.

In presentations he has given, Mr. Barboutis has explained that the revival of the Colossus of Rhodes as the island’s “mega attraction” could re-introduce the island to the world.

“The blue sea, hotels, restaurants and sites are no longer enough for the experienced, perceptive and sophisticated tourist,” according to Mr. Barboutis.

The original Colossus, depicting the sun god Helios and straddling the ancient harbor, was erected in 282 BC and took 12 years to build. The master sculptor was Chares, from Lindos. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BC.