DIVINE HERITAGE
Churches, mosques, synagogues
The three religions find their architectural expression in the form of churches, synagogues and mosques. They grace the urban landscape of our town and contribute to its unique character. In the last weekend of September, the annual recurring date for the European Heritage Days, you can visit several of them on both Saturday 27 and Sunday 28. As always a unique chance to visit wonderful buildings, most of which are normally not open to the public. The special opportunity to visit both churches, mosques and the synagogue in a single day should not be missed, it enables you to appreciate three different traditions that have a lot in common.
Rhodes, an example of tolerance and peace
The theme of this year was chosen because this is quintessential Rhodian heritage. But also because it carries a quintessentially Rhodian message: tolerance and respect for each other. Many cities in the Middle-East have lost their minorities in the past and the daily news confronts us with sectarian and religious violence and the extinction of entire religious and cultural communities. It is therefore worth realizing that in Rhodes the three communities have generally lived and worked together in peace and tolerance and continue to do so. And while other cities, like Smyrna, Alexandria and Istanbul, have lost much of their diversity, Rhodes has kept its centuries old cosmopolitan character. Something to be proud of, and an example to others.
Open Doors / European Heritage Days Rhodes 2014 has been made possible thanks to the support of:
The three religions find their architectural expression in the form of churches, synagogues and mosques. They grace the urban landscape of our town and contribute to its unique character. In the last weekend of September, the annual recurring date for the European Heritage Days, you can visit several of them on both Saturday 27 and Sunday 28. As always a unique chance to visit wonderful buildings, most of which are normally not open to the public. The special opportunity to visit both churches, mosques and the synagogue in a single day should not be missed, it enables you to appreciate three different traditions that have a lot in common.
Rhodes, an example of tolerance and peace
The theme of this year was chosen because this is quintessential Rhodian heritage. But also because it carries a quintessentially Rhodian message: tolerance and respect for each other. Many cities in the Middle-East have lost their minorities in the past and the daily news confronts us with sectarian and religious violence and the extinction of entire religious and cultural communities. It is therefore worth realizing that in Rhodes the three communities have generally lived and worked together in peace and tolerance and continue to do so. And while other cities, like Smyrna, Alexandria and Istanbul, have lost much of their diversity, Rhodes has kept its centuries old cosmopolitan character. Something to be proud of, and an example to others.
Open Doors / European Heritage Days Rhodes 2014 has been made possible thanks to the support of:
- Ministry of Culture and Sports / Archaeological Service of Rhodes
- Jewish Community of Rhodes
- Vakouf of Rhodes
- Sponsors
- Volunteers
- General State Archives, Department of Dodecanese
- Rhodes Municipal Libary
