Audio description

Sign language

BBC Two England

BBC Two is a TV channel that started broadcasting on the 20th April 1964.

BBC Two

BBC 2

BBC2

BBC Two (England)

England

Francesco's Mediterranean Voyage

BBC HD

BBC Four

BBC Two Northern Ireland (Analogue)

BBC Two Northern Ireland

Until 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales (analogue) was known simply as BBC Two Wales. BBC Two Wales (digital) was BBC 2W. From 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales schedules on both analogue and digital became identical

BBC Two Wales

BBC Two Scotland

BBC Two Wales (Analogue)

BBC Four HD

Francesco da Mosto

Francesco's Mediterranean Voyage: Episode 10: The Dodecanese

Documentaries

The Dodecanese

Episode 10

Episode 10: The Dodecanese

BBC Two - Francesco's Mediterranean Voyage, The Dodecanese

Francesco da Mosto explores the Daylan Tombs and the island of Leros.

Francesco da Mosto approaches the Dodecanese. He explores the Dalyan Tombs on the Turquoise Coast, and the island of Leros, ravaged by Mussolini.

Francesco da Mosto has been at sea for two months now as he travels from Venice to Istanbul. He approaches the last group of the Greek islands - the Dodecanese.

Rhodes was home to the legendary crusader knights of St John. Over the centuries, it was repeatedly caught up in fighting between the Christian and Islamic worlds, and even today it has the feel of a fortress island.

Next stop is the exotic Turquoise Coast. The coast is too shallow for the Black Swan to explore, so Francesco swaps boats and heads for the extraordinary Dalyan Tombs - great classical burial temples carved out of the high clifftops. They were deliberately carved high in the mountains so the spirits of the dead had less far to travel to heaven. On the way he encounters the huge loggerhead turtles of the region, which enjoy nothing more than crunching their way through the shells of giant crabs.

One of the most unexpected islands of the area - and an uncomfortable reminder for Francesco of his country's recent past - is the island of Leros. Mussolini redesigned Leros as a launch pad for his dreams of a Fascist empire that would dominate the Mediterranean. He rebuilt the main town as a military town with wide straight boulevards for army parades. 

Next stop is Patmos, where St John the Divine is said to have experienced his revelations that make up the Book of Revelation in the Bible - foretelling the end of the world and the final struggle between God and Satan. The Cave of the Apocalypse on Patmos is said to be the actual site, and Francesco sees the crack in the roof of the cave out of which apparently the voice of God emerged. 

And, at last, a surprise for Francesco renders him speechless.

Knowledge, drama, comedy and the arts for a broad adult audience.

BBC Two is a lively channel of depth and substance, carrying a range of knowledge-building programming complemented by great drama, comedy and arts.

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Factual: History

Architect and historian Francesco da Mosto journeys across the Mediterranean sea

Architect and historian Francesco da Mosto embarks on a journey to cross the Mediterranean sea

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Francesco's Mediterranean Voyage

Episode 10: The Dodecanese

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Series

BBC Two England

About BBC Two