A 65-page tribute to the OXP magazine of the University of Naples, a fact that places it in one of the first places in what has been written about Rhodes from time to time, in newspapers, electronic and printed magazines, on blogs and sites in Europe and the rest of the world
Rhodes has a rich history. Throughout the centuries of this history, it has met many peoples and cultures, incorporating into its own culture whatever elements of these cultures suited it.
This feeling that the Neapolitan journalist and writer Nicolas Campanelli got from Rhodes during his stay on the island, in mid-May 2025, he captured in his rich tribute to Rhodes.
It is an indisputable fact that the cultural heritage of Rhodes is a chapter connected to its historical path and traditions. All the monuments and natural beauties of the island were a pole of attraction and inspiration for the famous Italian journalist Nicola Campanelli from Naples, who captured with his lens the cultural heritage of the island and the beauty of the Rhodes landscape, while at the same time gaining substantial experiences through his conversations with residents of the island, many of whom lived during the Italian era in Rhodes. Experiences that formed an important part of his tribute to Rhodes.
This particular great tribute may of course be due to the timeless ties that connect Rhodes with the Italians and the older Rhodians with the memories of other times, “signs of a common memory that goes beyond colonial history” as Nicola Campanelli states, but it is also due to the will of the municipal authority and the Deputy Mayor for Tourism and Culture, Georgios Toppos.
Clearly satisfied with the result – a rich, unprecedented 65-page tribute to Rhodes – in the online magazine of the University of Naples, Mr. Toppos underlined:
“The overall effort of the municipal authority and of all the executives of the Tourism Directorate in general is bearing fruit. Wherever the history, culture, natural beauty of Rhodes were presented, but above all the authentic Rhodian hospitality and the experiences that visitors have on the island, the results were spectacular and can be seen from the numbers, which are irrefutable witnesses, of the tourists who visit Rhodes, many of them for many years, making it their second home. We thank them all, as well as, of course, the Italian journalist Nicola Campanelli, who promoted our place in Naples and throughout Italy. Moreover, Italians have always been beloved visitors to our island!
Literally impressed by Rhodes, its history, culture, and authentic Rhodian hospitality, Mr. Campanelli described the unforgettable experiences he had on the island, underlining:
“Rhodes, not just a trip, but an unforgettable experience”. Rhodes is not just a place, but a living narrative made of stones, arches, and minarets. A city where East and West meet and unite, telling the story of centuries of conquests, coexistence, and transformations. Rhodes leaves in the heart not only the charm of its landscape, but also the awareness that history, when experienced and recognized, can unite people over time, building lasting bonds that transcend borders and eras.
At the end of my trip, what I take with me from Rhodes, apart from the vast blue seas and the places I visited, are the people I met and the stories they shared with me. Stories that reveal a deep and unforgettable bond with Italy. A bond that, in the memories of the island’s elders, resists the passage of time, survives for generations and continues to live in the gestures, words, and emotions of those who lived or those who have passed down this piece of history.”
