Athens - Twenty-three centuries after artisans crafted and erected one of the tallest statues of the ancient world, the Colossus of Rhodes, residents on the Dodecanese island are determined to once again erect a new world wonder in the spirit of the original. After repeated failed attempts, officials on the tiny Greek island are determined to finally fulfil their dream and have enlisted the help of a German-based design team and Berlin-based lighting architect Gert Hof as well as calls to the international community for funding.
"The architectural design will be unique and not a replica of the original," said Nikos Karambelas, an official at the mayor's office, adding that island officials presented what it likely to become one of the century's largest artistic projects in Dubai earlier this month.
While it will not straddle the port as the ancient monument once did in homage to the sun god Helios by the master sculpture Chares of Lindos, the new Colossus will be built in Ankandia, the eastern most harbour of Rhodes and will also be visible to passing ships like its predecessor.
In the spirit of the ancient Colossus, the modern-day wonder will be dedicated to freedom and peace and will stand at the crossroads of three continents and will be built, at least in part, of melted-down weapons from across the world.
The original statue was initially constructed in the years between 292 and 280 BC to celebrate peace between the islanders of Rhode and the Macedonians. Siege equipment made out of iron and bronze left behind by the aggressors was partially used as building material for the Colossus.
"The idea that an island will celebrate a second world-wonder to mankind makes me feel very proud, especially as the new Colossus will globally promote the message of us all living together on a planet in a peaceful and environmentally responsible way," said the island's mayor Hatzis Hatziefthimiou.
Unlike its ancient namesake, which stood at 34 metres before an earthquake toppled it in 226 BC, just 56 years after it was erected, the modern-day Colossus will be much taller and bigger.
Determined to avoid recreating a replica, Karambelas said the new conference centre and light sculpture will stand between 60 meters and 100 meters tall, setting it apart from other structures on the island.
"We are still at the drawing-board stage and studies still need to be undertaken but the plan by Gert Hof is to make it the world's largest light installation and will allow people to physically visit it day and night," said Karambelas.
Other past Colossus projects had been knocked down by Greece's powerful body of archaeologists, which criticized proposals to recreate the legendary statue in the run-up to the 2004 Athens Olympics.
"Monumental works cannot be copied because they run the risk of being ridiculed. What we want to do is something innovative that has never before seen in any place of the world," Karambelas added.
The Colossus was included in the list of the Seven Wonders of the World complied some 2,137 years ago along with the Pyramids, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the temple of Artemis at Ephesus in modern Turkey, the statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and the Lighthouse at Alexandria.
Officials said the new building and light sculpture will cost 200 million euros and is still in need of financial support to become a reality.
Unlike the original statue which is believed to have taken 12 years to craft, the new statue could be built in less than half that time if adequate funding is found, officials say.
International organizations led by the World Trade Centre Association, a network of exporters who promote peace through trade, have agreed to partly assist with the cost of the project.
