Architecture

Plan hatched to build modern successor to Colossus of Rhodes

The new Colossus would rise 150 m (492 ft) and be covered in solar panels
Ari A. Palla / Colossus of Rhodes Project
The new Colossus would rise 150 m (492 ft) and be covered in solar panels
Ari A. Palla / Colossus of Rhodes Project

Towering over the ancient city like a watchful giant, the Colossus of Rhodes statue was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Now, over two millennia after it was felled by an earthquake, a group of architects and engineers hope to build its modern successor.

We don't know exactly what the Colossus of Rhodes looked like, nor its location in the town, but accounts describe a huge bronze statue depicting the Greek god Helios that rose over 30 m (98 ft) high, supported on a plinth. Constructed to honor the city's relief from a siege, the statue was completed in 280 BCE and fell in 226 BCE.

The Colossus Rhodes team imagines its modern successor to be even bigger. Bringing to mind the fictional Titan of Braavos from Game of Thrones, it would rise 150 m (492 ft) high and straddle Rhodes' Mandraki Harbour. Inside, the concept depicts a cultural center, library, an open-air observation point, and a revolving restaurant. It would be topped by a lighthouse.

Fittingly, given Helios' association with the sun, the structure would also feature a "skin" comprising solar panels, with the aim of making it self-sufficient in electricity usage.

All of which is, unfortunately, unlikely to be realized soon. Perhaps the most serious stumbling block is the cost; with Greece in the midst of an economic crisis, raising the estimated €250 million (US$273 million) required would be tricky, even with the group's plan for an international crowdfunding campaign and to approach wealthy investors. Presumably, the busy Mandraki Harbor would need to be closed during construction, too.

For these reasons and others besides, we'd recommend taking this one with a pinch of salt. The video below offers a closer look at the concept.

Source: Colossus Rhodes via Arch Daily

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8 comments
Buzzclick
Unfortunately, this overly-ambitious project/statue, if it ever gets built, will quite probably have cost over runs, will be of questionable return of investment to the island, and will always be compared (not so flatteringly) to other similar projects.
As someone born in Rhodes, I hope this project never gets built. The breathtaking Mandraki harbor doesn't need a grandiose project like this that will probably become a big detraction (eyesore). Especially since the Greek economy is presently going through such turbulence.
It ain't no Statue of Liberty!
Nelson
Yes, let's waste an incredible amount of resources on some grandiose project instead of actually housing people, what a stupid idea!
GregSmith5a5d6b514f8a4f66
I like the idea but the design needs more work. Not inspiring.
Grunchy
He's got a lot of antlers.
Derek Howe
I actually think it looks pretty cool. What are all those freckle looking things all over its body though? Are those the solar panels? If so, that's dumb.
Other then that, I like it. But I don't live there...so I don't know what they want.
Vincent Najger
A Colossette would be preferable...for starters, the view when sailing underneath it would be better than staring at some dudes giant junk.
christopher
They could build this for 230-times-less if they 3D-printed it instead...
Don Duncan
When young, Wonders of the Ancient World, used to make me wonder. I wondered why the public wasted their resources on non-productive monstrosities. Now I see the same thing in a different form: government. The public waste most of their wealth on govt., the ruling elite's excesses, and instead of thanks, they get exploited more. If it was all voluntary, I would laugh at the fools, and forget it, but the few who do not worship authority, who are sovereign individuals, are forced to conform and contribute also. That's not funny. It's tragic.