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Our Cultural Heritage is our Prized Possession…

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Culture & Heritage

As the meeting point of three continents, Rhodes has known many civilizations that have left their imprint on the island, from the ancient Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines, followed by The Order of the Knights of St. John, the Ottomans, and the Italians. Rhodes is a combination of myths, history and heritage, a mosaic of cultures and images from the past and the present, which gaze the future. A meeting place of scholars, artists and personalities from all over the world. We invite you to see, feel and live the unique cultural identity of Rhodes. A few of the most important exhibits in the Museum are the Grave stele of Krito, Timarista and the Marble head of Helios.

Ialyssos Archeological Site

Ialyssos Archeological Site

The district of Ialysos, encompassing the northern part of the island, was inhabited in the prehistoric period. Remains of a Minoan settlement have been found in Trianda and… Mycenaean cemeteries have been located on the surrounding hills of Makria Vounara and Moschou Vounara (1700-1400 BC).
The ancient city of Ialysos extended around the hill of Philerimos, which was the ancient acropolis where remains of buildings from the Archaic, Byzantine and Knights’ periods, still stand. The temple of Athena Polias, which dates to the 3rd-2nd c. BC, was built over the site of an earlier Classical temple, judging from the evidence of a 5th c. BC floor and terra-cotta antefixes found there. The depository on the west side produced pottery and votive offerings dating from the 9th to the 5th c. BC. In addition to the cult of Athena Polias, there are also references to a cult of Zeus Polias. In the Early Christian period (5th-6th c. AD) a three-aisled basilica with an atrium was built over the remains of the ancient temple, in the north aisle of which, a single-aisle church with a cupola was constructed in the 10th c. At the time of the Franks, this site was occupied by a medieval monastery and church.
The more important buildings of the archaeological site include:
The Temple of Athena Polias, thus is a Doric amphiprostyle, tetrastyle or hexastyle temple (that is, with a portico of four or six columns at either end) with a pronaos, cella and opisthodomos. In the cella stands the base of the cult statue. Small column drums and walls inside the cella may have belonged to an interior colonnade (3rd-2nd c. BC). Cuttings on the west side of the rock would have been used as depositories for votive offerings or cult purposes.
Doric fountain-house, two tunnels brought water from the top of the hill to a cistern cut into the rock and closed by a poros isodomic wall in the form of a Greek pi (Π). Lion-head spouts discharged the water from the closed cistern into an open tank, which was enclosed by six pillars with stone panels between them, and from there to a portico of six Doric columns which formed the facade of the fountain-house (4th c. BC). A sacred law with proscriptions for the protection of the fountain-house was carved on one of the pillars.
Church of the Knights, period from the 14th c. with a vaulted roof and two hexagonal chapels.
Baptistery of a three-aisled Early Christian basilica, built over the ruins of the temple of Athena.
Byzantine fortifications, these are on the east side of the hill and constructed with material taken from the ancient temple of Athena. Visible are parts of the repairs, made by the Knights.

Kameiros Archeological Site

Kameiros Archeological Site

The district of Kameiros stretches along the northwest coast of the island, close to Ayios Minas Cape (ancient Mylantion), in the foothills of Akramytis Mt. In prehistoric times,… the Mylantian gods, who taught mankind milling and kneading, were worshipped here. Mycenaean necropolis have been excavated at Kalamvarda, west of Kameiros. Finds from the Geometric period (8th c. BC) testify to the existence of a temple on the Acropolis, dedicated to Athena. The 226 BC earthquake, destroyed the Classical city and most probably the Classical temple of Athena in Kameiras as well. The Hellenistic city was built on three levels, according to the Hippodamian system. On the summit of the hill was the Acropolis with the Temple of Athena and the Stoa. On the middle terrace was the settlement and on lower down, the Hellenistic temple, Doric Fountain-house, Agora and Peribolos of the Altars. The area was embellished with numerous votive offerings, stelae and plinths with statues. The 142 BC earthquake, destroyed the city for a second time.
The Acropolis was first excavated by Biliotti and Salzmann, in the 19th century (1852-1864). In 1928, during the island’s Italian occupation, the Italian Archaeological School began a systematic excavation of the area along with restoration work, which continued until the end of the 2nd World War.
The Kameiros archaeological site-settlement, which was built on three levels, comprises the following monuments:
Acropolis and Precinct of Athena Kameiras: The Doric temple, a tetrastyle peripheral (with porticos on all four sides), was surrounded by a peribolos, replacing a previous Classical temple, which was destroyed by the earthquake of 226 BC, with only its foundation having survived.
The Reservoir: A rectangular construction lined with plaster, terra-cotta pipes and two apertures with stone covers on the bottom, served to carry the water to the settlement. It had a capacity of 600 cubic meters of water, a reserve sufficient for 300-400 families. The side steps facilitated access to cleaning the reservoir, which was covered, dating back to the 6th-5th c. BC. In the Hellenistic period, its place was taken by a stoa, putting it out of use.
The Hellenistic Stoa: This consisted of two rows of Doric columns and shops or lodgings, at the rear for the worshippers. The columns at the front supported an architrave with metopes, triglyphs and a cornice (3rd-2nd c. BC). There was an impressive water supply system under the floor with covered wells, subterranean tanks and terra-cotta water pipes, replacing the earlier reservoir.
Four-sided Hellenistic Altar, in front of the Doric Stoa: Settlement of the Hellenistic and Roman periods, built according to the Hippodamian system (a grid of parallel streets and residential blocks of the same size, called insula), spreading over the hill’s middle terrace. A principal feature of the houses was the interior colonnaded courtyard, with one side usually higher than the others (Rhodian peristyle). They were adorned with mosaic floors and facades with architraves and painted decoration on plaster. Among them, stand the remains of public baths with hot and cold chambers and hypocausts (underfloor room heating installations).
Hellenistic temple on the third and lowest terrace of the archaeological zone: It was a poros distyle temple (having two columns in antis at the front), with a pronaos, cella and opisthodomos. The base of the cult statue is preserved in the cella and behind stood the treasury, a pit cut into the floor, to hold the temple money. It was probably dedicated to Pythian Apollo.
Ionic Naiskos of poros: Stone with plaster facing, used to house votive offerings.
Fountain-house: The facade consists of poros Doric half-columns, faced with plaster and supporting an entablature. Panels closed the intermediate spaces. Inside it was an open tank from which the water was drawn (mid-4thc. BC). At a later period (3rdc. BC), the tank was replaced by a well and the columns were carved with the names of the damiourgoi (eponymous priests of ancient Kameiros). Behind the fountain-house the remains of a stoa can be seen. A revetment wall on three sides retained the soil fill of the upper terrace.
A four-sided square (Agora): Opened in front of the fountain-house, where the citizens forgathered for religious ceremonies. It had three steps on the south and east sides. Walls later enclosed the north and south sides, in which were doors to admit the faithful. Half-columns embellished the north wall, and at the southeast corner there was a four-sided structure, perhaps a votive offering. The inscribed plinths on the stairs at the south side, are later reconstructions from the Italians. Inscribed bases for statues and votive offerings were erected on the west side. The most important of the votive offerings was that of Panaitios, with the inscription “ΘΕΟΙΣ ΠΑΣΙ” (to all the gods). There are two half-finished inscribed votive offerings behind the north entrance to the Agora, one of them probably depicting a bull.
Altars’ Peribolos: On the northeast side of the third terrace, along the retaining wall, inscribed altars were erected on two levels, dedicated to different deities (Agathos Daemon, Artemis, Zeus, Poseidon and others). There are remains of a large oblong altar dedicated to Helios on the first level.
A semicircular dais: In front of the Altars’ Peribolos, carried a votive offering, a monumental staircase between the Agora and the Peribolos of the Altars leading to the residential center.

Lindos Archeological Site

Lindos Archeological Site

The archaeological site includes:
Theatre: Located on the southwest side of the hill, below the Temple of Athena, the circular orchestra and the auditorium for the spectators were… hollowed out of the side of the hill. The proedries, officials’ honorary seats around the orchestra, still stand proud. The auditorium has19 rows of seats below the diazoma and 7 above it. The first three rows were also intended for officials and the low walls at on their sides, separated them from the auditorium staircases. Only five of the nine cunei have survived. The theatre held 1.800 spectators.
Four-portico building: There are remains of a four-sided building in the extension of the skene of the Theatre. On the inside columns, on all four sides, supported a pitched roof and surrounded an open-air courtyard. The entrance on the northwest side had a porch (row of columns), which carried an architrave. The building held 1.500-1.700 spectators and was intended for religious ceremonies. At a later period the place was occupied successively by three Christian churches.
Boukopion: At Vigli, northeast of the Acropolis, was the Boukopion, a sacrificial place, as the name implies. 38 inscriptions on the rocks around, identify the site. A naiskos built of small field stones with a temple, pronaos and kind of vestibule, contained the votive offerings (clay and bronze figurines chiefly of oxen) to a deity, at present unidentified (10th-9thc. BC).
The ancient Lindos cemeteries where spread over the surrounding district, with the most two important, funerary monuments being:
“The Tomb of Kleoboulos”: This has no connection with the tyrant of Lindos, but was the tomb of a wealthy family. It is a circular structure with carefully built masonry and a vaulted roof. The doorway has a cornice, decorated with palmettes. On the inside, a bed, hewn out of the rock, was a kind of sarcophagus and had a cover, which has not survived (2nd-1stc. BC). Traces of wall-painting and the name “Ayios Aimilianos” testify to its conversion into a Christian church, at a later period.
The Archokrateion: In the locality of Kampana at Krana, on the west hill of the Acropolis, there is a rock-cut tomb. The exterior facade has two stories; half-columns on the ground floor, supporting an architrave with metopes and triglyphs, and on the upper floor pillars alternate with blind openings. On the first floor façade, funerary altars were erected with the names of the dead inscribed on their bases. On the inside, a passage led to a place for burial rituals. A total of 19 graves are cut into this chamber walls. On the sides of the hall, pillars alternate with plaster panels. Its modern name of “Frangokklesia” suggests that it was used as a church during the Knights’ period.
The Naiskos of the Taxiarch Michael: Stratelates below the village square; there is a shallow niche with a post-Byzantine representation of the Archangel Michael Psychopompos. The traces of earlier frescos date it to the Byzantine period.
West of it, near the remains of the Moslem cemetery: There is a shallow niche, containing the representation of a mounted saint, possibly 15thc. These remains are known as Ayios Georgios Kammenos.
The Church of the Panayia: The village church is oblong with a transverse nave of the free cruciform type. In 1489 Grand Master Pierre d’Aubusson gave money for the church restoration and the construction of a groin-vaulted vestibule. The grand master’s escutcheon, along with that of the castel’s commander, Pierre d’Aymer, can be seen on the south side of the smaller bell-tower. The frescos inside the church are still preserved, with the oldest inscription giving the date 1637, however, the church paintings as a whole, is listed as the work of the painter Gregorios of Symi, in 1779.
Ayios Georgios Chostos: An inscribed cruciform church with a cupola, is located the northwest edge of the village. In the apse of the sanctuary, are five layers of fresco painting, belonging to the post-Iconoclast period in the 2nd half of the 12thc. and to post-Byzantine times.
Ayios Georgios Pachymachiotis or Pano: This inscribed cruciform church with a cupola, dates to 1394/95, according to an inscription on the south side of the apse front. It is decorated with full-figure saints in luxurious attire on the south wall of the church, hierarchs below the arch of the sanctuary and part of a representation of the Ascension, in the vault.
Ayios Menas is the same type as Ayios Georgios Chostos: It has interesting late 12thc. frescos, which are late Komnene in style, but 15thc. in date.
Ayios Demetrios: Is a small barrel-vaulted church northeast of the entrance to the Acropolis. In a blind apse, on its north wall, can be seen a 15thc. St Demetrios on horseback.
In the locality of Vigli: Under the east cliff of the Acropolis the mosaic floor and marble tiling of an Early Christian basilica, have been found, dating to the 5thc.

Aktaion patisserie (Italian Club)

Aktaion patisserie (Italian Club)

Aktaion is a work of the first period of the Italian Architecture in the Dodecanese (1925-27), by architect Florestano di Fausto, integrating oriental elements, inspired by the island’s eastern traditions. The building was intended to house a club for the Italian officers and was called Circolo Italia.

Italian Architecture in Rhodes

Italian Architecture in Rhodes

The island was conquered by the Italians in 1912, who made major contributions as far as architecture and town planning is concerned, namely in the restoration of historical centers, the creation of new roads, as well as imposing public buildings and the founding of new towns and settlements.

Aquarium

Aquarium

The building of the Hydrobiological Station of Rhodos was built during the period 1934-36. In 1937, under the Italian rule, operated as the “Reale Istituto di Ricerce Biologiche di Rodi”,… up until 1945, when, following the union of the Dodecanese with Greece, it was renamed “Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute” and operated under the supervision of the Academy of Athens. Today, the Hydrobiological Station of Rhodes operates as a Museum and an Aquarium, as well as a research center, belonging to the National Center of Marine Research. The aim of the Hydrobiological Station of Rhodes, is the preservation and display of embalmed and living creatures of the Mediterranean Sea. In the aquarium the visitors (200.000 per year) can admire specimens of anthozoa, molluscs (gasteropods & cephalopods), and species of the crab family, echinoderms, as well as fish of the following families: Dasyatidae, Mullidae, Sparidea, Centrachantidae, Labridae, Scaridae, Siganidae, Mugilidae, Scopaenidae, Triglidae, Balistidae, Monacanthidae and of course, sea turtles. At the Museum, are also displayed exhibits such as a variety of sharks and other fish, sea turtles, toothed whales, (Odontoceti) and Mediterranean monk seals. Thanks to the research facilities of the Hydrobiological Station of Rhodes and the National Centre of Marine Research, the Station runs research programs, covering every aspect of oceanography in the area of the Dodecanese. It thus, functions as a model research unit in the Mediterranean.

Italian Headquarters (Municipality building)

Italian Headquarters (Municipality building)

The building was designed by architect Florestano di Fausto in 1926-27. It combines the tradition of the East and that of the Byzantium, with gothic and cinquecento (Renaissance) elements, alluding to the historical and geographical status of the island, as a crossroad between the East and West.

Buildings of Neoclassical Architecture

Buildings of Neoclassical Architecture

During their rule in the Dodecanese, the Italians ignored these buildings, along with their morphological and aesthetic characteristics, even though they were trying to integrate local… elements, at least in the first period. Gradually, the neoclassic architectonic presence is diminished – as opposed to other islands like Symi – in front of the splendor of the buildings, constructed by the Knights and the Italians. Some of them, however, are still used as academic institutions, since their inauguration, up until today.

Knights’ Avenue

Knights’ Avenue

The Knights’ avenue, within the medieval town, was the Castle’s central road. It is apparently a remnant of the old town planning by Hippodamus, the development of which, was… the medieval, fortified town. Many of the most important administrative buildings are concentrated here. The road, made of cobble, about 200m long and 6m wide, continues uphill to the Palace of the Grand Master.

Casino of Rhodes

Hotel of Roses – Casino of Rhodes

The casino today is housed in one of the most impressive and famous buildings in Rhodes, the Hotel of Roses, built during Italian rule.… Its original name was “Grande Albergo delle Rose” (Grand Hotel of the Roses) and was a place of significant historical events, like the instauration of the state of Israel, which was signed here, in 1948. Built by Florestano de Fausto in 1925-27, its original form had an eclectic style, with both oriental and western elements, representing this “exotic” idea the architect and the Italians had of their “colonies”.

Castle of Rhodes

Palace of the Grand Master (Castle)

Palace of the Grand Master (Castle)

The Palace of the Grand Master is undoubtedly the medieval town’s main tourist attraction. It is located northwest, on the town’s loftiest point. Built by… the Knights Hospitallers of Jerusalem, in the place of a previous fortification of the 7th c., it was the residence of the Grand Master and the place where conferences of the knightly order were held. The sarcophagi of all the Grand Masters are preserved inside the court.

Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent

Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent

The Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent was originally built in 1523, ordered by Suleyman himself, as being the conqueror of Rhodes. It was reconstructed and obviously modified in 1808, integrating the elements of neoclassicism, something very popular in the Ottoman Empire, during the 19th c.

Archeological Museum of Rhodes

The Archeological Museum of Rhodes

The Archaeological Museum of Rhodes is housed in the medieval building which served as the Hospital of the Knights of St. John. The structure’s construction, begun… in 1440, by Grand Master de Lastic, with money which were bequeathed by his predecessor, Fluvian, and was completed in 1489 by Grand Master d’Aubusson. The museum is a two-storey building, with a central courtyard, all four sides of which are lined with porticoes. Interesting finds, dating from all periods of the island’s history, discovered during archaeological excavations, are exhibited in the Garden and in the twenty rooms of the upper floor. In the garden the visitor can see sculptures and funerary steles, as well as the mosaic floors of the Hellenistic period and under the atrium, one can see the mosaic floor of the early Christian period from Karpathos.

Various statues and fragments of funerary monuments are also on exhibit in the Museum atrium. The Museum houses the following collections:
• Tomb groups from ancient Ialysos of the Geometric and Classical periods: vases, figurines, jewellery, metal objects
• Tomb groups from ancient Kamiros of the Geometric and Classical periods: vases, small objects, figurines
• A collection of Classical, Hellenistic and Roman sculptures
• Funerary slabs from the period of the Knights with relief representations of the deceased or of their coats of arms

Byzantine Museum

The Byzantine Museum

The Byzantine museum is housed inside the church of “Panagia tou Kastrou”, also known as “Panagia tis Nikis”. The museum includes portable icons of the late- and post-Byzantine… eras, among which the most important are the icons of “Panagia Odigitria” dating back to the 14thc. Also pieces of murals are on display like Agios Zacharias Halkis, of the late 14thc.

Modern Greek art

The Museum of Modern Greek art

The Museum of Modern Greek Art presents extensive painting and engraving collections, as well as numerous sculptures, drawings and documents of historical value. The… works of engraving and paintings form a comprehensive collection of Greek art of the 20th century, created by Greece’s most eminent artists. Some of these works of art are considered to be of great significance and have been selected in order to illustrate the development of Modern Greek art. The central idea of all these collections, is to present Greece’s history, through the eyes and the soul of Greek artists of the 20th century. The Museum of Modern Greek Art reflects the uniqueness and simultaneously, the international character of Greece.

Muslim Library of Ahmet Hafouz

The Muslim Library of Ahmet Hafouz

Opposite the magnificent mosque of Suleyman, we find the Muslim Library Ahmet Hafouz, which was founded in 1794 by Rhodian Muslim Ahmet Hafouz. The building… is well preserved, with a small garden and houses an interesting collection of rare manuscripts and scrolls written in Turkish, Arabian and Persian, with the most significant, being that which narrates the siege and conquer of the island by the Ottomans, in 1522.

Art Gallery

Art Gallery

Τhis historical building, located near the entrance of the Medieval Town, in Symi Square, houses the collection of engravings and a portion of the permanent collection of sculptures. 2 Symi Square tel: +30 22410-23766

Nestoridion

New Art Gallery / Nestoridion

The Nestoridion New Art Gallery is located at the picturesque Hundred Palms Square, near the historic Grande Albergo delle Rose. The multi-storey building was a… donation by Ioannis and Paola Nestoridis, and it hosts the permanent collection of paintings. It has a small open-air amphitheater and a lecture hall, where educational programs, lectures and other events related to art, are held there. Recently a new wing, of impressive modern architecture, has been added and along with the main Nestoridion Art Gallery, creates a major cultural reference point at the center of the city, aiming to revitalize and enhance the cultural life of Rhodes, hosting quality artistic events, exhibitions and meetings.

Ecclesiastic–Folklore Museum Asklepieiou

The Ecclesiastic – Folklore Museum Asklepieiou

In the parvis of the church of “Koimisi tis Theotokou” (Dormition of Mother Mary), in the village Asklepieio we find the small but very significant ecclesiastic and folklore museum, whose collection include ornaments of the 16th-18thc., icons, vigil candles, gospels and marble candelabrums.

Medicinal Baths Complex – Baths of Kallithea

Medicinal Baths Complex – Baths of Kallithea

The complex was built during Italian rule, in order to provide a center of therapy and recreation for Italian vacationers around the existing, natural… thermal springs. The baths were inaugurated on July 1st, 1929, right after the completion of the road, leading from Rhodes to Kallithea. It was designed by architect Pietro Lombardi, who combined Byzantine and Muslim with Classical Greek elements, wisely integrated into the overall composition.

Modern Art Center / Palaio Sissitio

Modern Art Center / Palaio Sissitio

In the year 2000, the museum acquired the use of the “Palaio Syssitio” ( Old Almshouse ) building, as an exhibition hall. It is… situated in Socrates Street, the main thoroughfare in the medieval town. Quite often, the Modern Art Center organizes exhibitions of art works, created by contemporary artists.

Folklore Museum

The Folklore Museum

The Folklore Museum is located in the old town of Rhodes, covering the entire south side of Argyrokastrou square and housed in an edifice structure from Knights’ period.… The perfectly preserved collection includes furniture, ceramics, embroideries and textiles, traditional costumes and other pieces of folk, traditional art of the Dodecanese.

Elafos Hotel Rhodes
Elafos Hotel Rhodes

Elafos & Elafina Hotels

Villa de Vecchi, Elafos & Elafina in Rhodes

The story and the bright future of a unique boutique hotel complex … Villa de Vecchi of Rhodes, has the same name of… that of Lake Como in Italy. Two baroque mansions which are architectural jewels in the Mediterranean. The Rhodes villa and the adjacent buildings Elafos and Elafina, are at the stage of maintenance and restoration, with the prospect of their future shining bright.

Villa de Vecchi was built by the Italian authorities, in 1936, at the edge of a rock, on Mount Profitis Ilias, where the historic two – storey building with a total area of ​​757 square meters, stands arrogantly, showing a persistent resistance to the wear and tear of the recent decades. Villa de Vecchi was named after the Italian governor of the Dodecanese, Count Cesare Mario de Vecchi. The imposing villa was used as the summer retreat of the Italian king Vittorio Emanuele III and later as a resort for the Greek royal family. The construction of a luxurious building in the middle of the forest, with the elegance of the Italian architecture and a stunning view, aimed to offer relaxation and recreation, while at the same time, due to its location, it allowed a panoramic view of the island.

The villa is located at an altitude of about 800 meters, on the hill of Profitis Ilias and is 40 – 45 minutes from the city and the airport of Rhodes. It is a work of art, a historical monument which is regulated by the relevant archaeological service. Other smaller auxiliary buildings, coexist on the same plot, while the villa borders two magnificent historic chalets, the Elafos and Elafina, which were built also by the Italians, in order to be used for their officers and in the later years, operated as hotels.

Initially, in 1929 the hotel Elafos was constructed and in 1930, was added on the ground floor, a restaurant with a large terrace above it, a large dance floor and a tennis court. In 1932, a new independent wing was built next to the hotel, which was given the name Elafina and from there on, the complex is by the peculiar name Elafos & Elafina. It has since been used as a hotel.

The area in which Villa de Vecchi is located, reaches a total of 8,100 sq.m., with steep slopes and very dense vegetation. Accessibility in the area is facilitated by the existing road signs, as Profitis Elias is one of the most characteristic locations of the island and a tourist destination all year round .

Profitis Ilias is the third highest mountain of Rhodes, following Attaviros and Akramytis, reaching a height of 798 meters ( and a minimum of 100 meters ) and located 6 km from the village of Salakos, where you can admire stones – ruins of a castle, which goes right up to the village of the Knights. A wooded area, of rare natural beauty and a tourist destination all year round, with main vegetation cypresses and pines, where the well – known deer of Rhodes, DAMA DAMA, as well as the rare endemic birds survive. During the Italian occupation, extensive reforestation took place in the area, using the native species Pinus brutia and Cupressup. A divine landscape whose imposing position captures the visitors breath. The conversion of the villa complex, as well as Elafos Elafina into hotel units ( boutique hotel ), will be a new quality tourist product for Rhodes, which will attract high level visitors, offering unique experiences.

Eleousa

AGIA ELEOUSA – CAMPOCHIARO

Rhodes is full of small and larger villages, each of which hide its own history. A few of them, of course, stand out for the reason of… their creation, the name, as well as the condition in which they stand nowadays. Among them, an Italian village, located in the central Rhodes. Although no one lives there anymore, it has an interesting story to tell even today. Apart from its story, the artificial pond of the village hosts a rare species of fish, the Ghizani, which you will find only in Rhodes. An endangered species living nowhere in the world, but in the small circular artificial pond of this ghost village. Definitely worth knowing the history of this “Italian”, yet Greek village of Rhodes. Its name? Campochiaro! Nowadays, known as Eleousa. Built about a century ago, at the foot of the mountain of Prophet Elias, the story of its creation is interesting in itself. The construction of the village took place in the framework of a migration settlement program in the Dodecanese. The purpose was to create rural settlements that would be inhabited mainly by Italian settlers, aiming not only the timber exploitation, but also the forest environment care of the area. Campochiaro, which actually means Bright Village, was created by Governor Mario Lago in 1935, during the Italian occupation of the island of Rhodes. The peculiarity in its architecture can be seen even today.

The settlement was modeled by the forest villages of the Italian Alps. Impressive buildings with bright colors ( hence the name ) were created between the trees, as in most Italian villages. Italian loggers moved and settled there, organizing their new lives, having had left behind northern Italy and the valley of Fieme, and continuing their lives in Rhodes. Over the years the village was abandoned and the buildings were left to their fate. Abandonment and decay are visible in the majority of the buildings, which were once full of life. This is why the locals speak of the Italian ghost village.

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