LAST Thursday Colin Harrison of Stalybridge gave an illustrated talk entitled "Rhodes World Heritage Site History and Geography".

He first showed an artist's impression of the Colossus of Rhodes -- one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was reputedly 100ft high and represented Helios the sun god and existed from 305 to 227BC when it was destroyed by earthquake.

In the time of the ancient Greeks there were three major settlements on the island supporting 100,000 inhabitants.

The principal settlement was Rhodes town itself with about 50,000 people living in or close by the town.

Following the ancient Greek era came the classical Greek period which has left a legacy of typical Greek architecture including an acropolis, a stadium, an odeon and various temples.

Subsequent conquerors of Rhodes were the Romans, the Genoese the Knights of St John (Crusaders), the Ottomans and finally in the 20th century the Italians, the Germans and from 1944 the British. In 1948 the island was handed back to Greece.

This has resulted in an eclectic mixture of buildings, many of which have been sympathetically restored. There are Byzantine churches, mosques, ornate Italian public buildings and the massive walled town built by the crusaders. These walls are up to 13 metres thick and in some places have been hollowed out to provide housing.

Finally, in 1988 Rhodes was declared a World Heritage Site.

Our next meeting is on February 19, when Roy Rogers will take us "Behind the Scenes at the Library Theatre".

KPB