Rodi [Rhodes]

Italian edition of Huber’s passionate pictorial of Rhodes.

The iconic Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World, dominates this magnificently illustrated map of the Greek island in the Mediterranean. Allegedly, the bronze figure of the Sun god Helios was approximately the size of the Statue of Liberty and constructed to commemorate the successful defense of the city in the third century BC. He holds aloft two torches, with banners in seven different languages proclaiming Rhodes’ incredible longevity.

The island’s rich history and cultural traditions are on full display, with illustrated vignettes highlighting many of its unique elements; like manner of dress, religious festivals, and local industries. Examples include the Knights Hospitaller and Templar, Greek Sousta dancing, and robust winemaking operations, especially in the northeast. A stylized depiction of the adjacent shoreline (actually 20+ miles away) highlights the vibrant blend of Greek and Ottoman architecture for which the area is famous. Photographs and descriptive text on the verso.

The map was drawn by Egon Huber and published in Milan by Pizzi & Pizzio in 1935 on behalf of the Ente Nazionale Inudstrie Turistiche (ENIT). One of a number of various editions issued in several different languages, though all are generally uncommon on the market.