Publications
The Marquis of Tarifa’s Journey to the Holy Land (1518–1520): Mediterranean Impressions and Sevillian Reflections
A detailed analysis of the pilgrimage diary of Fadrique Enriquez de Ribera, Marquis of Tarifa, reveals his unique aesthetic preferences and political interests during his journey to Jerusalem between 1518 and 1520. The study highlights that despite being a man of the Renaissance, Don Fadrique's aesthetic tastes remained rooted in medieval values, with minimal reference to classical antiquities or Renaissance innovations. His focus on city fortifications, hospitals, and political structures in urban republics, such as those observed during his travels through Italy and the Eastern Mediterranean, underscores his aristocratic background and knightly status. The diary also sheds light on his interactions with significant religious orders like the Hospitallers of Rhodes and Carthusian monasteries. Post-journey, his reconstruction of the Casa de Pilatos in Seville and the creation of a funerary chapel for his ancestors demonstrate a clear influence of northern Italian Renaissance architecture, marking these as the first such structures in Seville and playing a pivotal role in the development of Spanish Renaissance architecture.
Dodecanese, One Hundred Years Later: Rhodes
The book 'DODECANESE, ONE HUNDRED YEARS LATER: RHODES' reveals that the architectural and urbanistic achievements of Rhodes during Mario Lago's governorship (1923-1936) represent a significant yet overlooked chapter in Italian history. It argues that Governor Lago was the central figure behind the eclectic style, blending Deco, oriental, medieval, and rationalist motifs, which transformed Rhodes into a 'park city' with low-density green spaces. The research revisits the 1926 master plan by Florestano di Fausto, debunking claims of racial segregation and highlighting Lago's inclusive policies. It catalogues over 50 buildings and developments commissioned during his tenure, including public infrastructure, residential projects, and tourist facilities, while also documenting the stylistic purges under Governor Cesare Maria De Vecchi post-1936. The study is based on archival sources, contemporary press, and cartographic documents, offering a comprehensive analysis of this period's urban planning innovations.
Dodecanese, One Hundred Years Later: Rhodes Vol. 1 a Short Photographic Guide
Rhodes stands as a testament to the enduring impact of Governor Mario Lago's innovative urban planning during his tenure (1923-1936). This study reveals that Lago, often overlooked in colonial urban planning debates, was the driving force behind Rhodes' transformation into a 'park city,' characterized by low-density architecture interspersed with green spaces. Contrary to previous interpretations, Lago's policies promoted integration rather than segregation among the island's multi-ethnic population. The research employs archival sources and contemporary documents to catalog over 100 architectural projects, including administrative buildings, residential complexes, and tourist developments. It also highlights the subsequent stylistic shift under Governor Cesare Maria De Vecchi, which sought to replace Lago's eclectic style with an abstract crusader architecture, further illustrating Rhodes' dynamic architectural evolution.
Operational Modal Analysis and Finite Element Model Updating of the Naillac Tower in Rhodes, Greece
A study on the Naillac Tower, part of Rhodes' medieval cityrevealed significant discrepancies between assumed and actual material properties of its stone masonry. By combining 3D documentation (using digital cameras, laser scanners, drones, and total stations) with operational modal analysis (OMA), researchers developed a calibrated finite element model that accurately reflects the tower's dynamic behavior. This approach, which integrates ambient vibration testing data, underscores the necessity of OMA-based calibration for vulnerability assessments in historical structures, offering insights critical for sustainable restoration practices.
Evacuation modelling for rapid multi-hazard tabletop exercise deployment
A novel evacuation simulation model enhances tabletop exercises (TTXs) by providing real-time feedback on the impact of hazards, decisions, and injects during multi-hazard scenarios. This approach offers qualitative and quantitative insights into route choices, assembly performance, and incident management, surpassing traditional scripted TTXs that lack dynamic adaptability. The methodology was successfully deployed in a TTX for Rhodes' Medieval City, demonstrating its potential to improve understanding of evacuation complexities and response strategies under real-world conditions.
Leveraging Digital Tools for Immersive Gamified Learning in the Old City of Rhodes
A gamified learning approach, integrating GPS, Google Maps, and geolocation, transforms outdoor education into an immersive, interactive experience. Using Rhodes' Old Town as a case study, the research demonstrates how adventure and technology can enhance multidisciplinary learning, blending history, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, language, and arts. This method creates dynamic, engaging educational environments that captivate students while fostering deep understanding through location-based gaming.
The Location of the Colossus
The Colossus of Rhodes, long believed to straddle the harbor, was likely positioned on a hilltop near the Palace of the Grand Master of the Order of Saint John. This conclusion challenges the medieval myth and aligns with an epigram on its base, which described it as 'crowning' the city. The study evaluates all existing hypotheses, emphasizing that the Colossus's location would have been visible from the Asian mainland, reinforcing its symbolic significance. Historical evidence suggests this hill also hosted the sanctuary of Helios, further supporting its plausibility.
Love in Symi-An Aegean Romance/ Kos-Symi Rhodes
A bittersweet love story set against the backdrop of the Greek Dodecanese Islands—Kos, Symi, and Rhodes—reveals the emotional resonance of chivalric-era sentiments within a modern technological landscape. The narrative, penned by architect Hikmet Temel Aksu, intertwines romantic themes with vivid architectural descriptions, highlighting the unique Mediterranean architecture of these islands. Symi stands out for its distinctive stone structures and steep volcanic hills, while Rhodes is critiqued for its tourism-driven degradation despite its medieval charm. The work bridges literary fiction and architectural discourse, offering both an emotional journey and a touristic perspective on the region's cultural heritage.
Pottery Finds in the Medieval Town of Rhodes (1204–1522). Insights on a Multicultural, Cosmopolitan Society
Archaeological excavations in the Medieval Town of Rhodes (1204–1522) reveal a multicultural, cosmopolitan society through pottery finds. The study identifies significant imports from Constantinople, Cyprus, Lemnos, Islamic Syria, Valencia, Venice, and Central Italy, highlighting diverse trade networks and cultural influences. The mass import of Valencian ceramics underscores the spread of Catalan trade in the Eastern Mediterranean, while Italian sgraffito wares and Maiolica indicate strong economic ties with Italian cities. These findings suggest a society open to external influence, reflecting eclectic tastes and vibrant intercultural exchanges during this period.
Reuse of Historic Buildings in the Medieval City of Rhodes to Comply with the Needs of Sustainable Urban Development
A pilot program for the reuse of historic buildings in Rhodes' medieval city reveals that spatial planning within preserved urban zones can optimize and harmonize various uses, ensuring sustainable urban development while maintaining architectural integrity. The study established criteria to assess compatible uses, validated through an interdisciplinary approach, offering a scalable methodology applicable to other historic cities. This integrated preservation plan not only promotes the reuse of buildings but also guides effective policies for long-term sustainability.
Under the Mediterranean I: Studies in Maritime Archaeology
A collection of 19 peer-reviewed articles in Under the Mediterranean I: Studies in Maritime Archaeology highlights significant advancements in maritime archaeology, focusing on shipwrecks, harbors, and maritime landscapes. Key findings include the reconstruction of a late 5th-century BC wreck off Cyprus using 3D digital tools, revealing cargo stacking techniques similar to those found in Roman amphora wrecks. Another notable discovery is a large 12th-century AD cargo ship from Rhodes harbor, providing evidence for frame-first hull construction techniques. The volume also explores the evolution of harbors, such as Patara’s transformation into a closed military harbor and the identification of offshore pilings in Ashkelon, suggesting innovative maritime solutions before Roman marine concrete. Additionally, it examines the navigational challenges around Fournoi Islet, explaining the concentration of shipwrecks due to treacherous sailing conditions. The study combines archaeological excavation, digital reconstruction, geoarchaeological research, and historical analysis to shed light on Mediterranean maritime history.
Integrated non-destructive evaluation for the protection of cultural heritage
Non-destructive techniques (NDT) offer significant advantages for cultural heritage preservation, providing critical data on decay diagnosis, conservation interventions, and environmental management without causing damage. Applied to the Medieval City of Rhodes and other historic sites in Crete, these methods—including Digital Image Processing, Ultrasonics, Infrared Thermography, and Fibre Optics Microscopy—enable an integrated approach to safeguard cultural heritage. The study demonstrates their effectiveness in assessing architectural surfaces and structures, from Byzantine and Venetian monuments to more recent ones, highlighting their potential for broad-scale on-site applications.
System Identification of Mosques Resting on Soft Soil. The Case of the Suleiman Mosque in the Medieval City of Rhodes, Greece
Research on the Suleiman Mosque minaret in Rhodes reveals that its dynamic behavior is minimally influenced by the presence of the entire mosque structure. Using ambient vibration measurements and advanced 3D modeling, including soil-structure interaction and foundation flexibility, scientists identified the minaret's eigenproperties. The study found no significant difference in the first two modes of response between the isolated minaret and the full mosque model, suggesting that the minaret's seismic behavior can be effectively assessed without considering the entire monument's presence. This insight enhances the reliability of earthquake response evaluations for such structures.
Holistic 3D Digital Documentation of a Byzantine Church
A comprehensive 3D digital documentation of the Byzantine church of St Spyridon in Rhodes reveals its complex historical layers, showcasing rare architectural alterations. Using advanced geodetic measurements, laser scanning, and photographic data, researchers constructed a detailed 3D model, including 23 scaled drawings (1:50) with orthophotographs for context. The study also generated a photorealistic textured model, stereoscopic video, and an interactive virtual tour via the 3DHOP platform. This holistic approach provides unprecedented insight into the church's layered history, preserving its architectural evolution for future analysis.
Creative Teaching in Art: Content Analysis and Evaluation of Training Manuals Formed by Students
Student-created training manuals for promoting children’s cultural heritage in primary schools were evaluated based on content completeness, functionality, aesthetic presentation, creativity, and pedagogical responsiveness. The study, conducted by students from the Department of Primary Education at the University of the Aegean, focused on the Palace of the Grand Master within Rhodes' medieval city as a case study. Using SPSS v.17 for analysis, researchers assessed how effectively these manuals addressed educational objectives while fostering engagement with cultural heritage. The findings highlight the potential and challenges of student-designed educational materials in preserving and teaching cultural history.
Performance-Based Assessment of the Arsenal de Milly of the Medieval City of Rhodes
A performance-based assessment (PBA) of the Arsenal De Milly, a significant unreinforced masonry structure within the Medieval City of Rhodes, reveals critical insights into its seismic vulnerability. The study, employing advanced modeling strategies—including finite element analysis, equivalent frame approach, and macro-block modeling—demonstrates that the structure's response to earthquakes varies significantly depending on the method used. Nonlinear static procedures, as proposed by the PERPETUATE project, were pivotal in this assessment. Microtremor measurements further refined the mechanical parameters of the models, enhancing their accuracy. The findings underscore the importance of tailored seismic analysis methods for preserving cultural heritage assets, particularly those with complex soil foundations and high mass values.
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