The Great Earthquake of 1856 in Rhodes and the Destruction of the City
November 20, 2024
The Moat of Rhodes: How the Dry Trench Protected the city
November 28, 2024
Table of Contents
Introduction
After centuries of Ottoman rule and the devastation caused by the 1856 earthquake, the city of Rhodes entered the 20th century fragmented and neglected. Then came the Italians. Their arrival in 1912 brought not only new administration but a radical vision: to resurrect the city’s medieval identity.
The Italian restoration in Rhodes was not just about aesthetics or conservation. It was an ideological mission—to erase the Ottoman past, exalt the legacy of the Knights, and reshape Rhodes into a beacon of Latin heritage in the eastern Mediterranean.
Arrival of the Italians and the Italian restoration in Rhodes
When Italian forces seized Rhodes during the Italo-Turkish War, they found a city scarred by time and earthquakes. But rather than modernize it entirely, they turned their focus to the medieval core. The goal: a grand restoration of the Gothic and Crusader past.
Architect Florestano Di Fausto, among others, led these efforts. Italian engineers and archaeologists meticulously studied the ruins of the Palace of the Grand Master, the Street of the Knights, and the city’s fortifications.
The Italian restoration in Rhodes aimed to return the medieval city to its imagined prime—one aligned with the glory of Rome and the legacy of Christian Europe.
Selective Preservation and Demolition
However, restoration did not mean impartial preservation. Entire Ottoman structures—mosques, baths, fountains—were demolished, deemed out of step with the vision of a “medieval Latin” Rhodes. Meanwhile, Gothic elements were rebuilt, often using modern techniques and materials, yet maintaining a medieval appearance.
The Italian restoration in Rhodes blurred the line between conservation and invention. Arches, coats of arms, and stone façades were reconstructed or added to match the desired aesthetic. While the outcome was visually striking, critics have pointed to the erasure of non-Christian layers of Rhodes’ past as a political and cultural loss.
Tourism, Propaganda, and International Recognition
By the 1930s, the transformation of Rhodes became a propaganda tool. The island was showcased as a symbol of Italian civilization and its capacity to reclaim and restore a grand Mediterranean legacy. The restored medieval city became a magnet for international visitors and scholars alike.
Museums were established, public spaces beautified, and grand events held among the ancient stones. The Italian restoration in Rhodes turned the city into a living museum—and a stage for Fascist Italy’s cultural ambitions. Yet, even outside the ideological context, many restorations earned praise for their quality, precision, and respect for the original urban layout.
Conclusion
The Italian restoration in Rhodes reshaped not only buildings but the narrative of the city itself. While it brought new life to forgotten monuments and created the iconic appearance of the Old Town we know today, it also selectively silenced centuries of Ottoman and Jewish presence.
Still, one cannot walk the cobbled streets of Rhodes without encountering the layered legacy of this restoration. Love it or critique it, the Italian vision forever altered how the world sees—and experiences—medieval Rhodes.
The above article is based on the book ‘Ρόδος’ authored by Theofanis Bogiannos. The article is published with his permission.
