The Fort of Saint Nicholas in Rhodes is being highlighted

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The Ministry of Culture is moving forward with the development of the necessary pathways and the assurance of conditions that make the Fort of Saint Nicholas in the city of Rhodes safe for visitors to tour. The intervention is funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility and is part of an overall cultural projects program with a budget exceeding €30,000,000.

Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni stated:
“The restoration and enhancement of the emblematic Fort of Saint Nicholas are part of the Ministry of Culture’s broader plan for upgrading archaeological sites and cultural infrastructures on the island of Rhodes. The intervention program includes protection and restoration works in the Medieval City—a UNESCO World Heritage Monument—as well as in monuments from all historical periods, from the Palace and the gardens of the Grand Master, to the archaeological sites of Pervola and the ancient acropolis at Monte Smith, emblematic Ottoman monuments, and modern infrastructures such as the National Theatre of Rhodes. The proposal for the enhancement and accessibility of the Fort of Saint Nicholas aims to preserve the monument’s authenticity while ensuring a friendly, accessible, and safe touring environment for all visitors without exception.”

The project for the accessibility and promotion of the Fort of Saint Nicholas includes stabilization and restoration works on the D’Aubusson bastion, as well as layout works with appropriate delineation for the operation of the visitor area and the arrangement of circulation for people with disabilities and generally for visitors with mobility challenges. The project includes the interior configuration of a space for events and temporary exhibitions in the restored vaulted complex from the Ottoman period in part of the Zacosta outwork, as well as electromechanical installations for the operation of the spaces and lighting to highlight the monument.

Το έργο για την επισκεψιμότητα και προβολή του Φρουρίου του Αγίου Νικολάου περιλαμβάνει εργασίες στερέωσης και αποκατάστασης στον προμαχώνα D' Aubusson, αλλά και εργασίες διαμόρφωσης με κατάλληλη οριοθέτηση για τη λειτουργία του επισκέψιμου χώρου και τη διευθέτηση της κυκλοφορίας των ατόμων με αναπηρία και γενικά των εμποδιζόμενων επισκεπτών. Στο έργο περιλαμβάνονται η εσωτερική διαμόρφωση χώρου εκδηλώσεων και περιοδικών εκθέσεων στο αποκατεστημένο συγκρότημα των θολίσκων της Τουρκοκρατίας σε τμήμα του προπυργίου του Zacosta, όπως και ηλεκτρομηχανολογικές εγκαταστάσεις για τη λειτουργία των χώρων και φωτισμό ανάδειξης του μνημείου.

The project includes adaptations to ensure wheelchair accessibility, the creation of access routes, as well as the addition and clarification of plans that accompany the accessibility arrangements. For the safe movement of visitors, smooth slopes and non-slip flooring materials are used to facilitate independent visitor circulation. A distinct route is planned for people with disabilities in the surrounding area and on the ramps of the first level, while in the circulation corridor in the exhibition area “Warriors” on the second level, fixed waterproof flooring is planned.

The Fort displays four main construction phases:

• Zacosta Construction Phase (1464–1467): Central two-level tower, spiral staircase, water cisterns, curtain wall with cannon openings, and access via a small tower with a drawbridge.

• Aubusson Construction Phase (1485–1503): Independent outer bastion with reinforced walls and a drawbridge, a chapel east of the entrance passage. The six arches bridging the gap between the Zacosta fortification and the west side of the Aubusson bastion were constructed either at the end of the Knights' period or at the beginning of the Ottoman period.

• Ottoman Period: Addition of nine guard residences, three gun emplacements, elevated walkway, and the first lighthouse (late 18th century).

• Italian Period: Construction of pillboxes and new defensive structures.

Source:
Ministry of Culture