Colossus of Rhodes

In honesty, it disappointed us this time as we couldn't get in nor find explanation of the Colossus. Looks great from the outside right by the sea, but all that walk under the sun was exhausting and at the end there wasn't much to see.

The Colossus of Rhodes (Ancient Greek: ὁ Κολοσσὸς Ῥόδιος, romanized: ho Kolossòs Rhódios; Modern Greek: Κολοσσός της Ρόδου, romanized: Kolossós tis Ródou)[a] was a statue of the Greek sun god Helios, erected in the city of Rhodes, on the Greek island of the same name, by Chares of Lindos in 280 BC. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it was constructed to celebrate the successful defence of Rhodes city against an attack by Demetrius I of Macedon, who had besieged it for a year with a large army and navy. According to most contemporary descriptions, the Colossus stood approximately 70 cubits, or 33 metres (108 feet) high – approximately two-thirds of the height of the modern Statue of Liberty from feet to crown – making it the tallest statue in the ancient world. It collapsed during the earthquake of 226 BC, although parts of it were preserved. In accordance with the Oracle of Delphi, the Rhodians did not rebuild it.John Malalas wrote that Hadrian in his reign re-erected the Colossus,but he was mistaken. According to the Suda, the Rhodians were called Colossaeans (Κολοσσαεῖς), because they erected the statue on the island. In 653, an Arab force under Muslim general Mu'awiya I conquered Rhodes, and according to the Chronicle of Theophanes the Confessor, the statue was completely destroyed and the remains sold. THERE İS NO STATUE OVER HERE 😅😅😅

Colossus of Rhodes – Still Standing in Spirit Though no longer visible in bronze and stone, the Colossus of Rhodes remains one of the most stirring symbols of human vision and resilience. Once straddling the ancient harbour like a titan born of sun and sea, it stood not only as a monument to victory, but as a celebration of freedom, imagination, and the courage of a people who refused to be forgotten. Today, standing by the quiet piers of Mandraki Harbour where deer statues mark its possible feet, one can still feel the echo of greatness in the air. The light dances on the water as if reflecting his vanished form, and the whispers of ancient mariners seem to rise with the wind. It is a reminder that even when the physical disappears, the spirit of creation and defiance lives on. The Colossus may be gone—but like all true legends, he has simply become part of the sky.

Great to visit here and see where the Colossus once stood. Plenty of nice yachts to see also!

One of the possibile locations of the Colosus. Not confirmed. Closed. Lighthouse. Ok from the outside, but nothing special.

The Colossus of Rhodes (Κολοσσός της Ρόδου) is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and a symbol of the ancient island’s strength and prosperity. Built in the 3rd century BCE, it was a giant bronze statue of the sun god Helios, standing proudly near the harbor of Rhodes. History of the Colossus 1. Construction: • The Colossus was built between 292 and 280 BCE to celebrate Rhodes’ victory over Demetrius I of Macedon after he abandoned his unsuccessful siege of the city in 305 BCE. • Designed by the sculptor Chares of Lindos, the statue stood approximately 33 meters (108 feet) tall, making it one of the tallest statues of the ancient world. • It was constructed from bronze plates over an iron framework and was reinforced with stone supports. 2. Appearance: • The statue depicted Helios, the patron deity of Rhodes, with a radiant crown on his head, holding a torch or possibly shielding his eyes as he gazed out to sea. • Ancient accounts are unclear, but modern theories suggest it likely stood on a solid stone base near the harbor, not with legs straddling the entrance as often depicted in later art. 3. Destruction: • The Colossus stood for only 54 years before being toppled by a massive earthquake in 226 BCE. • The ruins remained on the ground for centuries and were admired for their sheer size, with many travelers commenting on the grandeur of the fallen pieces. 4. Legacy: • In 654 CE, the remaining bronze was reportedly sold by Arab invaders to a merchant, who transported it on hundreds of camels. • Despite its brief existence, the Colossus remains an enduring symbol of ancient engineering and artistic ambition. Modern-Day Associations • The exact location of the Colossus remains a mystery, though it is widely believed to have stood near Mandraki Harbor, where the statues of the deer (Elafos and Elafina) now stand. • Various proposals have been made to rebuild the Colossus in modern times, but none have come to fruition. Interesting Facts • The Colossus inspired the modern Statue of Liberty, as both are massive statues symbolizing freedom and strength. • The Colossus was made from the weapons and materials left behind by Demetrius’ defeated army, transforming tools of war into a symbol of unity and peace.

This was a cool place to visit, as a stop on Costa Cruise, as it is the site of a supposed Ancient Wonder. I had to imagine where the colossus would be as there was no mention or signs regarding it. I don’t think it is possible to enter into the structure at the end of the pier. At least I did not see any signs for entering or costs, etc. But it was fun to walk down.

This is what Rhodes famous for: Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. I walked to the original site of Colossus of Rhodes, only saw a locked medieval Nikolaos Castle. Two Doe statues of the city's symbol stood on both sides of the sea where is original giant put his feet, at least city should elect a sign or mark to where it was, imagine how big this giant was.