If you want to visit many attractions and go for sightseeing during this vacations then on Rhodes Island you have many options. The wide variety of attractions that is offered by Rhodes Island is not matched by any other tourist destination in the world. An attraction in the old town that you must see during your Rhodes Holidays is the Rhodian Deer statues.
Rhodian Deer Statues:
On the entrance of Mandraki harbour you will find the two deer statues guarding it. These are the sculptures of the unique Rhodian deer which has now become a symbol of Rhodes Island. At the entrance of Mandraki harbour the statues of deer are found – there is a doe and a stag placed on elegant, long and slim columns. The statues look very appealing and never go unnoticed when you come to the pictorial harbour of Mandraki during Rhodes Holidays. In order to really know the attraction that these Rhodian Deer Statues offer for your Rhodes Holidays and why these statues are so important, you must know about the special Dama-Dama deer of Rhodes.
Dama-Dama- The Rhodian Deer:
The Dama-Dama deer also known as the Rhodian Deer is unique deer species found only on Rhodes Island in Greece. There are many beliefs and stories related to the Rhodian deer and one of them is that they were brought to the island during Crusades in olden times. However, many sources and findings have revealed that they existed on the island since ancient times. In fact the Rhodes Island was previously recognized as “Elafioussa” which means having many deer’ that means “with many deers” in the olden times. The Dama Dama deer is unique to Rhodes and existed in a large number on the island. That is why, when you enter from Mandraki Harbour, you see the deer statues that serve as a symbol of Rhodes.
Significance of the Dama Dama Deer:
The Dama Dama Deer of Rhodes is significant for many reasons. The deer was important as it was very helpful to reduce the population of poisonous snakes that threatened human lives on the island greatly.
There are many stories, myths and beliefs that how the Dama Dama deer caused the number of the snakes to diminish greatly. However, all beliefs suggest that they were effective in one way or the other in combating the reptiles.
Cause of Extinction:
During the times of Knights of St John the deer were reintroduced on the island. This allowed the deer to flourish during medieval times. During the Ottoman era they were hunted to extinction but were reintroduced later in 1930s by the Italians. Today only a small population of the unique Rhodian deer is present on the island and they are treated as endangered animals. The Dama Dama deer is not just important for maintaining balance in ecosystem but also as it is a symbol of Rhode’s glory. The beautiful creature is found just in Rhodes and offer great attraction for Rhodes Holidays. Therefore, in order to appreciate the importance of the Dama Dama deer and its role in Rhodes, you must see the Rhodian Deer Statues.
As you enter the Island of Rhodes from Mandraki harbour for your Rhodes Holidays, the Rhodian deer will welcome you. You can also book one of the Aparthotel Rhodes or Rhodes Town Hotels to get a closer look of the significant attractions in Rhodes.
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