The modern architectural heritage of the interbellum period in the Dodecanese is an outstanding example of a systematic modernization project and of visionary town planning and architecture in the early 20th century. This building program that was achieved in less than two decades was unprecedented for the wider region and intended to culturally and politically unify the islands of the Dodecanese archipelago through architecture. To achieve this, a completely new architectural style was designed on the drawing boards. It is also an outstanding example of architectural practices in the neo-imperialist period and of the imperial ambitions of a European power in the 20th century. It is the only example of large scale and systematic planned colonial settlements and architecture on European soil by another European colonial power. .