Rhodes is the central city and a former municipality on the island of Rhodes in the Dodecanese, Greece. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Colossus of Rhodes, is located here. In 1988, UNESCO designated Rhodes, the citadel built by the Hospitaliers, as a World Heritage Site. Rhodes is a popular destination for international tourists and is an essential Greek urban center.
Rhodes lies at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Over time, this has led the city and island to develop many different identities, cultures, architectural styles, and dialects. Rhodes has a rich history due to its position on major sea routes. New buildings were made during the Ottoman period: mosques, public baths, and mansions for wealthy patrons. The city served primarily as a market for crops produced in the island’s interior and on nearby small islands. Italy took over the island with the rest of the Dodecanese Islands in 1912, and the territory became known as the Italian Islands of the Aegean in 1923.
The Ministry of Culture designated the entire medieval town as a protected monument in 1960, following the approval of a new city plan in 1957. New decrees regarding the new city plan were issued in 1961 and 1963. New streets were opened, and existing ones were widened. Due to the resistance of the Archaeological Service, these were never implemented in the old city. UNESCO designated Rhodes’ old town a World Heritage Site in 1988.
Below are some fascinating historical photos that show what Rhodes looked like in the 1900s.
