Campaign to save a Rhodian villa fallen on hard times

A drive has gotten under way to protect an architectural gem on the southeastern Aegean island of Rhodes that has fallen into ruin and been savagely vandalized.

The campaign is being run by the Rhodes International Culture and Heritage Society (RICHes), which is calling on the island's Modern Monuments Service to grant the villa special protection status, following the local municipality's failure to carry out essential repairs and maintenance on the property, which it has owned since 2017.

The 1,000-square-meter villa is situated in a 2.4-hectare garden. It was originally built in the late 19th century during the Turkish occupation of the island but was radically altered in the 1920s by prominent architect Florestano di Fausto, who designed it as a residence for Rhodes' Italian governor.

His design included stunning art deco features and luxurious finishings,...