A small but significant upgrade for the functionality and image of the tourist port of Rhodes is being implemented, following the approval of the study for the construction of passenger waiting shades by the Dodecanese Modern Monuments and Technical Works Service.
According to the decision, issued after a unanimous opinion of the Local Monuments Council, the new awnings were deemed functionally necessary to serve the particularly high tourist traffic, and it was found that the constructions are discreet, reversible, and compatible with the protected historical environment of the port and the Medieval City.
In complete harmony with the monumental environment
The area of the tourist port of Rhodes is located next to a series of preserved monuments – such as the customs house and the building of the Port Fund – as well as the boundary of the Medieval City, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For this reason, the Dodecanese Regional Directorate of the Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs specifically evaluated:
- the volume and morphology of the shadows,
- building materials,
- the foundation method,
- the ability to fully reverse the construction.
The service concluded that the awnings do not alter the appearance of the monuments and are in line with the terms of protection of the area.
Terms accompanying the approval
Construction is allowed under specific conditions:
- Structural adequacy – Maintenance
The responsibility for the safety, control, and maintenance of the shades rests solely with the implementing entity.
2.Temporary installation
Blinds are only approved as temporary structures and must be removed when a permanent solution is secured indoors.
3.Removal of unauthorized structures
The decision explicitly calls for the removal of adjacent unauthorized structures to be included in the agency’s planning, as part of a broader effort to enhance the port’s outdoor space.
Upgrading the passenger experience
The creation of organized waiting areas is considered especially important for one of the busiest tourist spots in Rhodes, where the flow of passengers from cruise ships, day boats, and tourist boats is particularly high during the summer months.
The project is estimated to:
- improve waiting conditions for passengers,
- upgrade the port’s image,
- offers sun protection during periods of intense flow,
- contribute to the overall functional reorganization of the area.
