Restoration of the Sanctuary of Pythian Apollo on the Ancient Acropolis of Rhodes – See photos

Work is underway connected the restoration of the Temple of Pythian Apollo connected the past acropolis of Rhodes (Monte Smith) by the competent Directorate for the Restoration of Ancient Monuments of the Ministry of Culture.

The extremity is the restoration and strengthening of the monument, on with its protection and preservation from harm owed to intense erosion and harsh upwind conditions.

Disassembly and Documentation

After dismantling the monument and thoroughly documenting some the in-situ and disassembled elements, the authentic past gathering components are separated and preserved, portion the modern restoration parts from erstwhile interventions are removed.

As portion of the work, the anticipation of reinserting archetypal elements successful their close positions is being investigated, successful bid to correct errors from erstwhile restorations carried retired successful the 1930s and 1960s.

Statement by the Minister of Culture

Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni stated:

“The Sanctuary of Pythian Apollo was portion of the analyzable of sanctuaries and nationalist buildings connected the acropolis of Rhodes. The archetypal signifier of the monument dates to the late 4th oregon aboriginal 3rd period BC.
It was rebuilt doubly successful antiquity: aft the earthquake of 226 BC, and again pursuing a fire astatine the extremity of the 1st period BC.

Italian Restoration and Current Project

The existent signifier of the monument is the effect of restoration by the Italians nether Mario Paolini successful 1937–1938. These interventions gave a partial thought of the temple’s standard and monumentality.

The current restoration seeks to correct earlier errors, protect the fragile gathering material, preserve authentic rock-cut parts—unique successful Greece—and enhance visitant understanding of the monument.

When completed, the task volition item not lone the archaeological tract itself, but besides the architecture and legibility of the monument, boosting its entreaty to visitors.

“With these interventions, the Temple of Pythian Apollo regains its significant spot successful the humanities narrative of the Rhodes acropolis,” the Minister concluded.

History of the Temple

The temple is located wrong the acropolis of Rhodes. Its determination was already known earlier the Italian occupation, but major excavations began successful the mid-1920s, during which the temple was afloat revealed. At that time, overmuch of the archaeological tract was excavated, uncovering the Odeon, the Stadium, and the Temple of Artemis.

The Temple of Apollo is thought to person held a commanding position successful the past city, connected the eastern slope of Mount Agios Stefanos (also known arsenic Mount Smith). Excavations suggest it was the largest temple successful the past city, surpassing successful size adjacent the Temple of Zeus Polieus and Athena Polias to the north, and the adjacent Temple of Artemis.

The temple and astir monuments of the acropolis look to person survived until the aboriginal Christian period. After that, they were apt damaged by natural disasters, invasions, oregon stone looting, arsenic happened to galore past structures.

During World War II, the temple suffered large harm owed to the placement of machine weapon nests successful the area. Restoration and repair works were carried retired by the Archaeological Service betwixt 1959 and 1960.