PARK | geravelislandscapes

Rodini park

Rodini park is one of the oldest parks in the world , dating back to 400 BC. It is an important archaeological site, containing Hellenistic tombs, sacred grotto's and other elements of landscaping dating from the Hellenistic era to medievel times. It is also a designated monument of natural beauty. A major part of the park was landscaped in 1940 during the Italian occupation.

Extended restoration works took place from 1998 to 2001. We built many new retaining walls and reconstructed many exisiting ones, as well as waterways, that had collapsed. In 2002 the landscaped park was extended, creating an original playground constructed with wood and local sandstone. This was designed with reference to the history of the park featuring an amphitheater, a grotto and a medieval tower. It was also designed so as to bring the children in touch with the natural elements, offering access to the water, rock climbing etc. A small building for a cafe was also incorporated, and a platform over the creek with a view to a dry waterfall,consisting of beautifull rocks covered in lichen. All the construction was done with reclaimed materials, mostly sandstone, from demolished old houses. Since the houses had already been built with reclaimed material we came up with interesting pieces of stone , even from ancient times which were incorporated into the new construction.

For more details ( in Greek only) visit : https://www.slideshare.net/slideshows/pptx-de37/265598989

Medieval moat

The moat is part of the fortification complex of the Mediaval citadel of Rhodes which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located at the center of Rhodes town. It was landscaped in 1998 to 2002 creating a 200.000 sq.m. park . The most visited parts near the entrances were planted with lawn, creating a conventional park setting. At the inner part ,which is less accesible, through narrow dark tunnels from the citadel and through the fortification , a natural setting was created, so as to create a scenery of the monument being reclaimed by nature. The slopes were planted with local garrigue and maqui vegetation, and the level parts were tansformed to natural meadows through seeding of wildflowers and selective weeding.

The Rhodian Mansion Garden

The Rhodian Mansion was the kings summer palace and its garden is now a public park in the center of the new city. The garden , as we discover from the existing elements (since it has been abandoned or abused for years) was constructed as an Italian rennaisance garden with symmetrical paterns, levels connected with stairs, water elements, a labyrinth, orchard, etc. The study intends to reconstruct the garden to its original form introducing new functions such as environmental education and research.