Towering over the ancient city like a watchful giant, the Colossus of Rhodes statue was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Now, over two millennia after it was felled by an earthquake, a group of architects and engineers hope to build its modern successor.
We don't know exactly what the Colossus of Rhodes looked like, nor its location in the town, but accounts describe a huge bronze statue depicting the Greek god Helios that rose over 30 m (98 ft) high, supported on a plinth. Constructed to honor the city's relief from a siege, the statue was completed in 280 BCE and fell in 226 BCE.
The Colossus Rhodes team imagines its modern successor to be even bigger. Bringing to mind the fictional Titan of Braavos from Game of Thrones, it would rise 150 m (492 ft) high and straddle Rhodes' Mandraki Harbour. Inside, the concept depicts a cultural center, library, an open-air observation point, and a revolving restaurant. It would be topped by a lighthouse.
Fittingly, given Helios' association with the sun, the structure would also feature a "skin" comprising solar panels, with the aim of making it self-sufficient in electricity usage.
All of which is, unfortunately, unlikely to be realized soon. Perhaps the most serious stumbling block is the cost; with Greece in the midst of an economic crisis, raising the estimated €250 million (US$273 million) required would be tricky, even with the group's plan for an international crowdfunding campaign and to approach wealthy investors. Presumably, the busy Mandraki Harbor would need to be closed during construction, too.
For these reasons and others besides, we'd recommend taking this one with a pinch of salt. The video below offers a closer look at the concept.
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