The Ministry of Culture and Sports is advancing the further protection and exploitation of the cultural heritage of the Medieval City of Rhodes and its promotion in its historical timelessness with the integrated Strategic Plan for the promotion of the archaeological site of the ancient neoria and the gardens of the Palace of the Grand Master. The project, with a budget of EUR 4.500.000, is being implemented by the competent services of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism with resources from the Recovery and Resilience Fund.

As the Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni said, “The Medieval City of Rhodes is a huge comparative advantage for Rhodes, the Dodecanese and Greece in general. Our goal is to highlight the archaeological site of “Perivola”, included in the UNESCO zone, and the ancient building remains of the neoria to be connected with the medieval gardens of Castellos, creating a new single timeless historical monumental core in the Medieval city. This is an 18-acre site in the heart of the Medieval City, which preserves archaeological remains dating back millennia, and which until now has been cut off from the city. The project, through gentle interventions, highlights the archaeological and historical importance of the site, protecting the individual monuments and enhancing its visibility. Accessibility is improved, by connecting the different levels, and a new timeless archaeological destination for touring, walking and recreation is created, with a local and supra-local character.”

The Strategic Plan aims to conserve, shape, enhance and enhance the visitor experience of a wider timeless archaeological site and to link the monuments together through a documented, enjoyable and instructive route. The site to be developed covers an area of approximately 18 acres. It is developed in five distinct levels, including remains from the Hellenistic and Roman periods – the neoria of the war harbour of the ancient city of Rhodes and the complex of the Roman quadripylon with its intersecting roads, restored medieval buildings, such as the equestrian Mint (Zecca), with its surroundings, the imposing Palace of the Grand Master (Castello), and the famous Governor’s Garden of the Italian domination.

In the “Perivola” are kept numerous and rare architectural elements of various periods from excavations in the city of Rhodes, many of which are planned to be exhibited in the area. At the same time, as part of the project, excavated material from past years that is currently in the ‘Perivola’ will be documented, so that part of it can be exhibited by means of appropriate landscaping. At the same time, in the area of 18 acres, which for the first time will be attributed to the Medieval City, and therefore to the citizens and visitors of Rhodes, recreational areas are created, offering a timeless space of culture and education.

The project is shaping and highlighting a potential new archaeological site in the heart of the historical centre of the Medieval City, where visitors will be able to gain a clear view of the history of Rhodes from ancient times to the present day. The aim is that this timeless archaeological site, with its important monuments dating from the Hellenistic era to the times of the Italian occupation, functionally integrated, equipped with modern infrastructure and accessible to disabled and handicapped persons, should be returned to the local community and the numerous visitors of the island.