PARIS, November 12. /TASS/. Scientists will discuss possible restoration of Colossus of Rhodes – one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Rhodes Mayor Fotis Chatzidiakos told Agence France-Presse.
The possibility of restoring the 31-meter statue will be discussed during a special conference that will take place on the island in 2015. “We have always considered restoring the Colossus. However, it is important to discuss the details of possible reconstruction with scientists,” Chatzidiakos noted.
The world’s most famous and distinguished sculptors and architects are willing to realize this project.
The Colossus was dedicated to the God of sun Helios – the protector of Rhodes. It was built in 292 BC just in 12 years. The metal for statue was melted from weapons and siege engines abandoned in Rhodes by one of the conquerors. However, 66 years after construction, the statue was destroyed by a strong earthquake. The attempts to raise it failed, and the Colossus spent next 900 years lying on the side. The Saracens that conquered Rhodes in 654 broke the giant statue to pieces and sold it to a merchant from Syria.