Postcard from...Rhodes

And one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient World

Postcard from...Rhodes

By Frida Bowman

Hi guys! Today I’d like to tell you about one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World...

But first, we’re in Rhodes. It’s full of...well, roads! (Actually, there are not that many... ) But there are lots of castles. I’m looking at one right now... or what used to be one. It’s really just a cliff with lots of old stones and bricks on it, but it’s pretty cool. At night, there are lights and you can see it from the beach. 

Feraklos Castle, a Byzantine-era stronghold of the Knights Hospitalier

There are also many beautiful beaches around the island with thousands and thousands of pretty shells. This morning I laid on the lounge chair and collected a whole bucket full of them. Then I went snorkeling with my mommy. The water was lovely and full of fish. I even saw an old flute.

But back to the ancient wonder: The Colossus of Rhodes. 

This was a giant statue built in honor of the Greek god of the sun, Helios. It was the tallest statue in the ancient world, or about 33 meters high. It was the size of the Statue of Liberty, and was the main inspiration for it also! It was marble and bronze. Some believe it held a torch in its hand. People still argue about exactly where it stood. 

The Colossus as imagined in a 16th-century engraving by Martin Heemskerck, part of his series of the Seven Wonders of the World

It took the people here one year to build... but it only lasted for 54 years, which is very little for such an enormous statue. It collapsed during an earthquake. 

After that, for about 800 years, it lay on its side, in ruins. But people from all around the world – including Cleopatra, the Egyptian Queen – came to see it. Unfortunately, some people stole the parts and sold them, so it’s all gone today. 

But we can imagine what it must have looked like, standing tall on the island of Rhodes. 

For now, I’m going to eat some more chocolate and go swimming. I’ll write to you again next week from the city that was named after the Greek Goddess whose symbol is an owl. (Hint: Not Owlyville)

Frida