The subject of the following study is the suggestion for reformation of a destroyed area (because of the bombardments), which is situated in the preserving environment of the medieval town of Rhodes. This area belongs to the Hebrew neighborhood, known as “Ovriaki”, and it’s existence is dated from the 15th century.
The destruction of a very important part of the neighborhood, during the second world war, the continuous excavations, during the Greek administration, and the operation of the commercial and administrative center of the town, have caused a lack of interest towards that neighborhood. Today, the studying area is isolated from the rest of the town and almost without human activities.
However, the form of Ovriaki has acquired a unique architectural and city planning interest. The suggestion of studding the formation of the today square, called “Pisidorou” square, has the aim to protect the sanitation, physiognomy and the civilizing inheritance of that neighborhood.
Moreover, because of the fact that the medieval town of Rhodes is a unique settlement, it would be necessary to be made an extended approach of that area, for any kind of intervention. Also, equally important are the research and the respect of social, political and cultural legislation, that led to the formation of that particular traditional environment.
Furthermore, for the above complex procedure and the suggestion, this area was studied and were analyzed all the factors that contributed to its formation. With a suitable analysis of the unique, historical, aesthetic and city planning characteristics, two things have resulted. The first thing is a complete picture of that place and the second thing is that the historical value of that neighborhood has been appointed. Also, some facts have been found about the determination of the goals for the new intervention.
The basic plan for the development of this intervention is the enrollment of this area to the isolated continuation of the civil relationship, through the restoration of the destroyed medieval web. Also, the suggestion includes a system of functions which organize distinguished places that lead to a continuation through the alternation of typical unions. A characteristic of that intervention, as far as humans are concerned, is that the users do not follow a different path which guides their activities, but they are able to move freely to the united place, following their own path.
In conclusion, “Ovriaki” place is a basis for the study of the medieval web and a research field for its preservation and restoration. Furthermore, the enrollment of a study in a preserving environment like that, is a great challenge and a very important teaching experience.