“Elaphos” (deer) and “Elaphina” (doe) are two beautiful statues, decorating the mouth of the port of the town of Rhodes. There are the characteristic element of the town and possibly are found at the same place where, in the Hellenistic period, had been erected the statue of the Colossus.

The complex was built from 1929 to 1932, during the Italian domination, within an area of luxuriant green and follows a mixed system of masonry, with the walls built of stone, the frame made of reinforced concrete and high pitched wooden roofs. The window frames and the large balconies and verandas are also made of wood.

The first building, constructed in 1929, was that of “Elaphos”; in 1930 a ground floor restaurant with a large veranda, a tennis court and a dancing floor were added and in the next year it was constructed the second floor, replacing the veranda. In 1932 a second wing was constructed beside the first one and was given the name “Elaphina”. Ever since, the complex is known with the somehow peculiar name of “Elaphos and Elaphina”. It is believed that the Italians gave this name to the complex, to remind the species of the native wild deer living in the nearby wood, one of the few species of deer still surviving in Europe.

Once established, the complex was in use as a hotel during the rest of the Italian domination. After the World War II, it had been abandoned for many years, but a few years ago it has been restored and renovated and is again in use as a hotel. It attracts many people wishing to spend a week-end or a couple of days within a historic building and a fascinating natural environment.