What's most fascinating about this project is how they plan to get it all done. With such a short life it is difficult to know exactly what this statue looked like. I mean why not right? I love your site, it’s so informative! Odds are, you haven't thought about the Colossus of Rhodes since high school when you were forced to remember the Seven Wonders of the World for a history test. Athens is an amazing place and the Acropolis and Parthenon are extremely beautiful. The people of the island erected this statue in gratitude to the god Helios for intercession during the annual siege of the city by a forty thousand army. A Complete Tour Of The Most Beautiful Island In Greece. I heard about it but I never spent enough time to explore the story in detail. It must been one hell of a sight. Hope this helps you, and if you need more just let me know . Also the Ancient City of Kameiros is another essential place to visit. I am more than happy to assist you in anyway possible if you are looking for information or help on this amazing Greek Island. We made it easy for you to exercise your right to vote! Your email address will not be published. At the time of the earthquake that destroyed it, The Colossus was only standing for a short period of 66 years.The statue was made from Iron and the skin from bronze. There was the Colossus of Nero, the statue of Rameses II (better known as Ozymandias, courtesy of Percy Shelley and, most recently, "Breaking Bad"), and, of course, the Colossus of Rhodes. Designed by Greek sculptor Chares of Lindos, the Colossus of Rhodes reportedly stood about 110 feet tall atop a 50-foot platform. Today I want to talk to you about The Colossus in Rhodes and a little on the history of what it was all about. Well done effects where the Colossus is in the scenes. To answer your question, of course There are many outlets that sell small statues and other memorabilia for The Colossus. I think that is what makes this piece of history so interesting and a focal point of attention! I think it would be great to have a Colossus here yes, but I still would not like to see the original overshadowed. Hey Nicki thanks so much for your comment on this . Unfortunately, we did not have a chance. I am keeping my eyes and ears open, but as yet I am yet to hear anything concrete. There is always evidence of what was before, just maybe not all the facts! You and your family would really love it. The Colossus of Rhodes was a massive statue of Helios, the sun God, made of bronze with one foot either side of the harbour and 40 metres high. It is all hearsay as it stands now, and as of this moment there is no evidence to support it being constructed. Luckily, there's a group of modern young professionals who are looking to bring it all back. Hi there Jen and thanks for your time and for reading. It was located -- you guessed it -- on the Greek island of Rhodes and was erected by Chares of Lindos in 280 B.C. To build the Colossus of Rhodes, the workers cast the outer bronze skin parts. The simple answer to this is ‘you can’t’. I have always heard of the Colossus of Rhodes, but I didn’t really know too much about it. Later on it is documented that the Rhodian people were also called Colossians after the destruction of the statue simply because of the legend of The Colossus. With this in mind, people do drive around looking to actually see the Colossus itself. It was commissioned by Chares of Lindos and was completed in 282 BC and depicted the Sun God Helios. When Alexander the Great died, his four generals fought over his empire. Rather than unstable scaffolding, the workers bui… Taking a page from Antoni Gaudí's book (you know, the guy behind the Sagrada Família who funded his project through private patrons), the team is planning to fund the entire project by crowdsourcing it through the Internet. Hey Peter thanks for your thoughts on this. Diodorus, History, 19.45.3-8. Feel free to leave me a message if you have any questions or need advice! These can be found in a lot of the tourist shops with many other souvenirs! Ships could pass underneath. The Colossus of Rhodes occupies an honorable place in it. If you manage a visit, seeing some of the sights can take time, and it is important to see the ones which offer the most value. As for me, I have lived on the island of Rhodes now for many years. Required fields are marked *, By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. I will keep you updated if I hear anything . Thus, the Colossus of Rhodes will become a 'global' monument," notes their website. I would like to see it happen in one way, as for sure it would go down in the islands history once more, and to be here and witness that would be amazing! But the team stresses they do not want to build a replica of the original bronze structure of a warrior standing over the entrance of the ancient city’s harbour. Another site that I wish was still around is the Great Library at Alexandria. I am happy this information served as a nice reminder for you. From the crowning elevation of the acropolis, the Colossus of Rhodes could be seen standing magnificently by itself (see Figure 1)— distinct from the numerous other “colossal” statues, including gods, which Pliny the Elder says (34.18.42) embellished the city at the same time. There is a lot to see here in Rhodes, and to be honest – sometimes you need to prioritize. Drop me a line too if there is anything you want to know that I have not yet mentioned! Colossus of Rhodes was built around 281-282 BC and it symbolized Helios, the Greek titan God that helped the Rhode’s win the war over the ruler of Cyprus. If you are a lover of history, then this would be a great option for you . This is where opinions arise, and sometimes these opinions can become the said facts over centuries! This is why I mention it outright at the beginning of the text. To refresh your memory, the Colossus of Rhodes, standing at 98 feet, was a bronze statue of the Greek titan-god of the sun Helios. Greece needs something like this but you’re right that is a huge price tag. Hi there, I am Chris and I live on The Island Of Rhodes In Greece. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies and tracking. Is there a certain part of the Island of Rhodes that you would recommend over others? The most common impression you see of The Colossus to day is the same as the images you see here on this page. more information Accept. As per the website, Colossus of Rhodes 2.0 was an idea developed by architect Ari A. Palla after the recent economical turmoil erupted in Greece. Thank you very much for an interesting story about the Colossus. I think because it is well advertised like I mention in the post, people naturally look for it. What is the Colossus? I know The Colosseum, is it related to this? It’s always good to be able to read about history and amazing things that happened many years ago. At the time of the earthquake that destroyed it, The Colossus was only standing for a short period of 66 years. At more than 150 staggering meters, Palla and his team's vision is that the new statue isn't a direct copy of the original. This story has the Colossus as a defensive weapon as well as an intimidating sentinel. As you say who can say if the colossus was there or not, where exactly was it build. Always nice to see you! Thanks for sharing. It would be impressive to see a modern remake of the Colossus. I look forward to hearing from all of you. I am pretty surprised to hear that not even a single piece has been recovered!! All them years ago, that little older lady in Italy was correct, you should visit Greece. I agree that a rebuild of The Colossus would be a wonderful thing, in some way. Hey thanks again for your visit.. Thank you for offering some insight into this bit of Greece’s history. Hope this helps Jen, and if you need more just let me know . The statue of The Colossus took 12 years to commission and build. However, the image we all know and love has nothing to do with how the statue really looked like in real life. It is technically impossible that the statue could have straddled the harbour entrance, and the popular belief that it did so dates only from the Middle Ages. Thanks for reading Maureen, great to hear from you. Because The Colossus stood so many years ago, there have naturally been many renditions of it come to light when it comes to its portrayal. As for the rebuild, I don’t know. Hi there – I’ve always wanted to travel to Europe and Greece is definitely on my must see list. Ships could pass underneath. Thanks once again, it is nice to see you back here. M.E.T.H.O.D. I visited Rhodes back in ’02 and I too was struck with the history of the place and just imaging the Colossus still standing. The statue measures almost one-hundred and twenty feet from foot to crown. Hi there Maureen and thanks for your comment and your interest. They also felt they had insulted Helios. A lot of people over the generations past, have had different opinions and it has become somewhat of a myth as to the true description. Although the Colossus is no longer in existence, another famous work of art, inspired by the Colossus, is still standing. Chares of Lindos was given the responsibility for this project and from 304 to 292 BC he fashioned and completed the statue. As an avid traveller, I probably would have set out to find out where it had stood on my journeys in Greece, but good to know that no one actually knows. If you already new, I guess this serves as information for someone else . This can date back to the roman times, antiquities and further. To know it stood, to know who designed it, what it was made from, how long it took to build and even its destruction, why is it myth as to wear it truly stood and what it for sure looked like? Wonderful information here, and I’m now really fascinated to read your other articles and future posts. This article inspires me to want to learn more about the history of Greece. Contact. On saying that, the mystery of the original is awesome, so should it be replaced? 148 Restaurants within 0.3 miles. At this moment I am preparing a lot of information on the latter two which will be available soon. It is a crime to visit the island and not see and experience this. Indeed, it spent more time lying broken on the ground than it did actually standing upright. Places such as Kos, Crete, Mykonos etc are all well worth seeing. If you need any further information just let me know. When it comes to financing it, we will see. On the train to Florence, we sat next to an older Italian woman who has cousins in Greece (I think). But hey, that’s my opinion for what it is worth . Full view. Hi Chris, thanks for sharing this great article about The Colossus In Rhodes. I had no idea that it was destroyed In a earthquake! I am happy you enjoyed the information here. There are lots of mysteries to the ancient world that once stood where new attractions are today. With the money raised from this equipment, the decision was made that with the finances, a statue would be commissioned and erected thanking the god Helios for their successful conquest! Hi Chris – I am astounded by all this… never knew about this, the video on the Statue is amazing. Equal with mystery too, as it is not 100% sure when the library was destroyed. Many people do come to Greece and they hop around. I was actually looking at one of your other pages on transport in Rhodes and came across this page on the Colossus. My wife and I would love to visit the beautiful island of Santorini etc however, is it possible to travel to the mainland during the same trip to take in some of this history? Hey, you can also buy small statues of the Colossus from various shops and other outlets. Rhodes Town 851 00 Greece. There is a lot to see in Greece and each place has its own unique feeling and experience. Maybe you know already, but the name Zephyr derives from the Greek name Zephyros and he was the God of the West Wind. Even though the Colossus is no longer standing, you can see the area it use to be at. With Rory Calhoun, Lea Massari, Georges Marchal, Conrado San Martín. Aug 2011 4,213 Gaillimh (Ireland) Nov 7, 2011 #28 Even if the construction perished only one year ago, I'd like to take another look to the Schola Armaturarum(school of gladiators) of Pompeii and maybe even take another walk inside its portico like a real gladiator waiting … I think your website is extremely interesting as I have never been to Rhodes, but now after viewing your site I would like to visit and have a look around. The idea looks fascinating, but there's no word on when or how they're going to get the ball rolling on this just yet. Your site is refreshing and well done, thank you for creating this – very exciting! Mighty Colossus of Rhodes May Stand Again Over Greek Island, Sign up for membership to become a founding member and help shape HuffPost's next chapter. You will see it in books, leaflets and information guides. Apollo was the God of the sun. Now, this is a subject that raises questions and discussions (sometimes heated too) as it has become a matter of opinion over the centuries. Directed by Sergio Leone. Some people believe it was stood at the main entrance to the harbor (as I said above) and the arriving and departing boats would sail underneath The Colossus between its legs. The pickle example made me laugh I think it is called the Gerkhin actually if I am not mistaken, but you are right, it is one of the most iconic building in London and certainly one everybody knows. As you say, can you imagine seeing the Colossus of Rhodes still standing - wow what a sight!! Thank you for the interesting history of TheColossus in Rhodes. If you remember on the ‘Classical Antiquity Period‘ section of this website, I mentioned Dimitros Poliorkitis (the Besieger). Even though it was one of the Seven Wonders Of The Ancient World, there is no clear evidence as to wear it actually stood or indeed what it truly looked like. Although the statue had stood for just five decades, its remains lay on the ground of the city for the next 800 years. I think somehow something is calling for us to come to Greece. I like to see people’s renditions of it in art. If the vision they have doesn't inspire you, then the dramatic music that accompanies it certainly will. Wiz: One such wonder was the Colossus of Rhodes. This is also the case for Rhodes. Your article about the Colossus was very informative. But some dispute that it stood on top of a hill that was named Monte Smith, which overlooked the port area. It lay broken on the ground for centuries afterwards. Boomstick: You mean Apollo. I know there are plans which will be put into place which will involve A New Colossus to be constructed. I will be showing this to my adult Sunday school class. Both names derived from Greek Gods. I also think the original should never be forgotten and i am not keen on something taking away the attention from this. GDPR Requirements – Cookie And Tracking Law. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site. Helios was the Titan of the sun. A lot of people do still visit Rhodes believing that The Colossus is still standing. It cracked at the knees and fell in 226 BC. Many years later in 653 AD one scenario mentions that all the remaining pieces were stolen and sold to a Jewish trader by the Arabs of Moab. Just drop me a comment below and I will get back to you! A couple of days here, a couple of days there, and over a 2 week period they soak in many of the islands and the mainland too. Give me the older classical architecture any day! A group of architects want to reinspire Europe by rebuilding one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World — the Colossus of Rhodes. Very informative. In the ancient world, there were many incredible statues erected for certain events or on behalf of powerful figures. The statue of The Colossus took 12 years to commission and build. As construction took them higher and higher, the workers developed a new method of reaching the heights. The Colossus of Rhodes was not only a gigantic statue. But you are right, had such a resource such as this library survived, there would be a lot more in the way of accurate knowledge today, including the Colossus!! Hi Bret, thanks for your comment, and I hope you are doing fine! Sadly, in 226 B.C., an earthquake devastated the island and the statue was destroyed. People have stopped me in the street asking where it is and the best way to get there. But to me things are not only about making money. I think it would be really amazing if they did construct another one. Best nearby. When visiting Greece what are the most recommended places to visit? It was 32 meters in height and it was said to have been stood at the entrance to the main harbor in Rhodes Town (more coming in a while on the location). Love the images in this post, they give the reader a good idea of what the Colossus looked like before it was destroyed! What is amazing to me is the history behind it and how they know when it was destroyed and by what. The Colossus is advertised a lot here on the island of Rhodes. Even after its destruction there are different stories about what happened to its remaining pieces. Look at that stupid pickle structure they built in London. It’s ugly but it’s know in all the pictures showing off the city. Standing 30 meters (100 feet) high, it was built to guard the entrance to the harbor at Rhodes. Hey there thanks so much for taking a look at my website and for your interest in the Colossus! I love history and I really enjoyed reading this article! Ad Honorem. Especially back then when tall buildings were rare. Unfortunately, the Colossus of Rhodes only stood for about fifty-four years before it collapsed in 226 BC during a major earthquake. The Colossus of Rhodes It is called The Statue of Liberty! . Now, I came across your article though and it is a wonderful reminder for me to renew my passport and plan a trip there. Designed by Greek sculptor Chares of Lindos, the Colossus of Rhodes reportedly stood about 110 feet tall atop a 50-foot platform. I was all excited, thinking this was one thing I wanted to see. The mainland is worth seeing for sure. A magnificent list of the seven wonders of the world was compiled 2,000 years ago by a Greek scribe. After twelve years, in 280 BC, the statue was completed. I was surprised to find so many people here asking were it stands, and then I have had to break the bad news to them. Amazing article! Sometimes the original means more than the re-creation, even if it has long been destroyed. While on holiday in Rhodes, an Athenian war hero becomes involved in two different plots to overthrow the tyrannical king: one from Rhodian patriots, and the other from sinister Phoenician agents. No sir, the Colosseum is in Rome (Italy) and not Rhodes (Greece). Hey, maybe you have visited this beautiful place yourself and you have something you want to share? It would be a great center piece now for people to see. People are very creative and the details they add can be pretty spectacular! As the structure was built, the body would be filled with stones. Feel free to let me know if you make some solid plans to see the island here, and if you need anything I will be happy to help you out with some useful information! It was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. But the statue at Rhodes survives in a different way, too. As you rightly say, The Colossus was a statue which was erected to thank the God Helios for the successful battle against the Besieger centuries ago, as i say in the post really! So no reference to the Colosseum in Rome! I’ve been to Greece many times, unfortunately never to Rhodes. I certainly know that it would attract millions of tourists, without doubt. I really hope they rebuild it because a lot of famous cities have modern structures that now define them. Read all 369 reviews. It was a symbol of unity of the people who inhabited that beautiful Mediterranean island of Rhodes. Yeah it is tragic that this statue was taken away by the earthquake back in 266 BC. As for naming your children with Greek names, I think that is a really great touch. For Thaleia, this names derives from Thallo, which is the Greek word meaning ‘To Blossom”.. The Medieval City information is available already and here for you to read. and erected on the Greek island of Rhodes. First of all I want to make you aware of something, as when the summer comes and the island is flooded with tourists, questions have been asked about the Colossus which have made me laugh a little (although not in a belittling way). One thing for sure, it still stands tall when it comes to the Greek culture and tradition. At least I figured it out before visiting there, so I know I’m finding out at a better time than some people . Conflicting stories of where it stood and even what it looked like. We took some magnifacent photos. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Colossus of Rhodes was a massive statue of a male figure built around 280 B.C. However, its popularity was such that it was described and reproduced several times, and by crossing this information it came to be known that it was an almost naked man wearing a crown of solar rays on his head and brandishing a torch. Enter the new Colossus of Rhodes. Hello Dallas and thank you for your interest. The Colossus of Rhodes was a giant statue of the god Helios, erected on the Greek island of Rhodes by Chares of Lindos between 292 BC and 280 BC. It is an important point that you bring up too, and it is also something i am looking into. I would love any thoughts you have on this. She couldn’t speak English well and I can’t speak Italian, so I had to guess at  some of the things she told me. The Colossus was said to be 70 cubits (105 feet [32 metres]) high and stood beside Mandrákion harbour, perhaps shielding its eyes with one hand, as a representation in a relief suggests. Yes, a lot of people assume the Colossus is still standing. A fun, fantasized account of the Colossus of Rhodes, and why it isn't still standing. There is lots more coming Nicki so be sure to come back. It has also been told that invaders from Syria took the pieces and used the materials to make other commodities. He was the son of Antigonos (The King of Syria) and he was dispatched by his father to seize Rhodes in 305 BC. I am half and half when it comes to the new Colossus project though. I like that it is a mystery, and I think this adds to the fascination of it. The goal is to evoke the same emotion in new visitors as it did for those who saw the original, and to drive tourism. It was roughly the same size as the Statue of Liberty in New York, although it stood on a lower platform. Part of HuffPost Entertainment. I guess I’m cheering for a rebuild of it! The Colossus of Rhodes is considered one of the Ancient Mysteries because it is believed by many researchers to have been situated on the harbor of Mandraki. I know now it’s a statue, but before the earthquake what was it? "Thanks to technology, people all around the world could be involved. So yes, it is easy to move around and see some other places too. Although your questions is not really aimed at the Colossus or at Rhodes, I am going to answer it anyway . The ancient Greeks and Romans considered it to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. To refresh your memory, the Colossus of Rhodes, standing at 98 feet, was a bronze statue of the Greek titan-god of the sun Helios. Yes I must admit the Colossus Of Rhodes is one of the more famous icons for the island although it fell all them years ago. He is also described as a "shrewd trader" and a "diplomat full of … Wiz: No, Helios. ©2021 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. In my opinion it is tragic that it fell and to my knowledge, none of the pieces were ever retained or put on display anywhere either. Standing for a little more than 50 years in the third century B.C., Rhodes’s titanic statue of Helios made a colossal impact on Western art, history, and imagination. I am glad to hear I’m not the only one who thought that the Colossus was still standing! If you are here for only a week, sometimes you can leave without seeing some of the places which are classed as ‘must see’ places. Another colossus, modeled after the ancient one, was erected in 1886, this time in New York harbour. I will be happy to help you out. Santorini is a beautiful island, but in all honesty a lot of the Greek Islands are. To make the framework safe, rocks were included as part of the structure. They intend the statue to be a museum that houses "the hundreds of archaeological findings forgotten in the storerooms," something they believe will "have a 'Domino' effect in the economy.". If it were still standing today, modern people would probably still be impressed by it. Other believe that it stood on normal land located in the vicinity of where the Palace Of The Grand Masters is situated (inside the Rhodes Medieval City). It was also the tallest statue of bronze and iron of the time. I think it was completed around 2004 to 2005, but when you consider a structure like St Paul’s Cathedral that dates back to the 1600’s – why is this ugly modern thing the light in everyone’s eye? I do not know any details about this at the moment, but for sure the money can be better spent when you look at the current Greek and European Union budgets. Palla's idea led him to partner with an entire team comprising fellow architects, engineers, economists and public relations professionals from Spain, the U.K., Italy, and Greece to create the vision of the modern Colossus. It is said to have been torched in 48 BC by the army of Alexander the Great, but other sources say it was ruined by the Roman Emperor Aurelian in in approximately 270 AD. From an early age already, young Cecil, still working through his Bachelor degree at the University of Oxford, famously wrote in his first will: “I contend that we are the finest race in the world and that the more of the world we inhabit the better it is for the human race.” [1] "The Colossus of Rhodes: Striding From Cape To Cairo", Punch Magazine, 1892. One of the things she mentioned was Greece and she highly recommended that we visit. Really well done and I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. Sometimes things can become myth over time, which only serves peoples curiosity. E.g. The Colossus, although a massive part of history and culture here, was actually destroyed by an earthquake. Thanks Alejandra, I really appreciate your visit. Then to see it was destroyed in an earthquake! The statue was made from Iron and the skin from bronze. At about 160 feet 2. After reading your article I know more about it, I will put a trip to Rhodes on my wish list, I’m sure it would be something amazing! Today is National Voter Registration Day! From this angle I am not so sure! Standing on a small island in the harbor is an immense statue of a robed woman, holding a book and lifting a torch to the sky. It always looks so beautiful and the history that is there is amazing. By comparison, the Great Pyramid of … That seems like such a long time ago, and maybe I am naive, but were they really able to record such things back then and be preserved so long? Also the white city of Lindos is very important, and here you will find the Acropolis too. And your point is well noted, the money could be spent on more urgent matters . The ruins of the temple in Rhodes, part of the Acropolis of Rhodes, which may have held the foundations for the Colossus. So, i’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news for some people! On another note, we named our son Zephyr and daughter Thaleia. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. Tap here to turn on desktop notifications to get the news sent straight to you. So not really any options to go and see maybe a piece of it at a museum? It brought me into the story with you. Hey there thanks so much for your thoughts on this. Boomstick: Damn Greeks and their confusing mythology.