Symi island

This is one of the more fascinating islands of the Dodecanese thanks to the more than 2,500 brightly-painted neoclassical houses arrayed on the waterfront at the port of Gialo and extending up to the main town of Horio.

Two settlements form the town of Symi : Chorio (Village) and Gialos ( Harbour). Pedi and Nimporios have a few inhabitants.

The Capital, Symi town is built in the shape of an amphitheater at the base of a medieval fortress. In the south,it is a small peninsula, Prasonissi, where at flux time, the Aegean Sea joins the Mediterranean, so that at sunset is becomes a small tongue of land between waters. Prasonissi has become in recent years sought a place especially by windsurfing enthusiasts.

Symi is an enchanting island of the Dodecanese, near Rhodos, with a rocky setting, mountainous coastline alternating with beaches and secluded natural bays.

Is an island where wild meets royal, where nature has a pinch of elegance from the architecture, colours, people.

The island has a beautiful harbour, which has a venetian look, with architheatrical arranged houses and boats docked right at the front, that wait calmly for their owners or passangers.

There is also a big monastery complex, Panormitis, where around 30 people live and take care of the monastery

The monastery of Panormitis is situated in the name saken bay. On its celebration (8th of November and Pentecost) people visit the monastery from all over the country. Food, wine and free residence are offered to the pilgrams.

Some believe that an ancient temple existed, but this cannot be proven from archaelogical findings or ancient sources. But, the existence of the Panormitis monastery in the 15th century is proven by a manuscript of 1460.

In the folk legends, the foundation of the Panormitis monastery is tied in with the devotion of the Symiot people.

The monastery has two museums. One of ecclesiastical art, rich in exhibits like pontificals, silver icons, Russian epitaphs and ecclesiastical utensils, ship models offerings brought to Panormitis from far away by the sea… and one of folk art with important objects of the folk culture of the island, relevant to fishing, agriculture and shepherding.

There is also a library with Byzantine manuscripts and editions of ecclesiastical, historical and philological content, as well as a gallery with paintings of the landscape of the monastery and his two chapels.

The history of the island begins in the ancient times when some of its names were Kirki, Aigli and Metapontis. The island got its current name from the nymph Symi, who according to greek mythology married the God of the seas Poseidon and brought to life Hthonios who became the leader of the islands inhabitants. Homer mentions Symi in the Heliade, for its participation in the Trojan war, headed by the Symiot King Nireas.

Later in history, Symi was conquered in 1309 by the knights of St. John. Then a period of prosperity began for the island with the development of shipping, sponge commerce, boat building and other crafts. In 1832 Symi was found under the Turkish dominion which was followed in 1912 by the Italian dominion.
Symi confronted poverty at that time: the replacement of sailing with motor ships occurred, sponge diving decreased and world war II begun resulting in a greate migration wave of Symiots abroad.
From 1943 when the Italian dominion ceased and onwards, Symi changed hands several times between the English and the Germans, with the English taking over the island for the third time in 1944. On May 8th 1945, the Germans signed the treaty of the Dodecanese surrender, while on April 1st 1947, the British military command handed over his rights to a Greek one.
At last, it was on Symi that on March 8th 1948 the Protocol of integration of all Dodecanese islands to the Greek state was signed.

At location Castle there are two fortification enclosures saved from the Historical age.

At the locations Symi, Pedi, Panormitis, exist relics or traces of paleochristian basilicas

At location Nimporios can be found ashes of paleochristian basilica. In addition, there are architectural parts made of marble (second hand) in the little churches at the surrounding area.

Beaches and islets

There are a number of islets around Symi, such as Nimos, which is the largest one, as well as Sesklia, Artikonisi, Koulountro, Troubeto, Chondros, Plati, Oxia, Diabates, Marmaras. All these small islands can be visited with caiques, or small boats.

Nos.Popular sandy beach – close to the harbour after the clock tower.