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Friday, 10 February 2012
Symi island PDF Print E-mail

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symi island, symi greek island, symi, greek islands, greek island, list of greek islands, cruise greek island, greek island cruises, greek island map, greek island guide, greek island ferries Symi  island
A lovely, mountainous island Simi was reputed to be the birthplace of the Three Graces. While its interior is punctuated with small valleys, its coastline alternates between being steep and rocky or sandy and indented with little coves. In antiquity it bore the names Aigli and Metapontis. It took its present name from the nymph Syme, who was Poseidon's wife. After its conquest by the Knights of St. John in 1373, commerce and shipping flourished until steam replaced sail. The stately mansions in the main town date from this period, which reached its peak in the 19th century. The capital in the north of the island bears the same name and is divided into the upper and lower town, Ano Simi and Kato Poli. The lower town is also called Yialos. The two districts are linked by a lane so steep it has steps. It is flanked by charming neoclassical houses, some of them painted in warm pastel colours, with balconies and peaked, red tile roofs. Many of them also are embellished with neoclassical features on the doors and windows. Their interiors are decorated with wood carvings, the locals having been adept at the craft for generations. The highest point in Ano Simi is capped by the usual castle of the Knights of St. John, whose emblem can be seen above the main portal.  The traditional village of Emborios is Simi's second port. The ancient town of Metapontis was situated close by.  One of the island's most famous landmarks is the monastery of the Archangel Michael Panormitis on the southwest coast. Built in the early 18th century, it overlooks the bay bearing its name in a setting combining mountain and sea. It contains marvellous Byzantine frescoes and an intricately carved iconostasis.  There is no lack of wonderful beaches. You'll find good swimming at Yialos, Pedio, Emborios, Marathounda, Nanou as well as on the nearby islets of Agia Marina and Nimos. One of the island's most famous landmarks is the monastery of the Archangel Michael Panormitis on the southwest coast. Built in the early l8th century,it contains marvellous Byzantine frescoes and an intricately carved iconostasis. The main town of Symi is divided into the upper and lower town. The lower town is also called Yialos, the upper town known as Chorio . The most of houses are neoclassical houses, some of them painted in warm pastel colours, with balconies in the center  and  red tiled roofs. The highest point of Chorio is capped by the usual castle of the Knights of St. John.

symi island, symi greek island, symi, greek islands, greek island, list of greek islands, cruise greek island, greek island cruises, greek island map, greek island guide, greek island ferries Symi History
Symi is a beautiful and mountainous island on which according to tradition the 3 Graces were born. The island’s history begins in ancient times and some of its ancient names were Kariki, Aigli and Metapontis. The island got its current name from the nymph Symi, who according to mythology married the God of the seas Poseidon and brought to life Hthonios who became the leader of the island’s first inhabitants.It is postulated that the island’s first inhabitants were the Carians and Leleges. Homer mentions Symi in Heliade, for its participation in the Trojan War with three ships, headed by the Symiot King Nireas. Having gone through its own history during the ancient and Byzantine period (that is when island’s fortress was built), Symi was conquered in 1309 by the Kings of St. John. This is when a period of prosperity begins for the island with the development of shipping, sponge commerce, boat building, and other crafts.  The neoclassical mansions, which remain intact to this day, and most of the island’s churches were built in that period. The houses begun to spread outside the castle area and at the same time, many of the up to then traditional settlements were abandoned. The Turks conquered Symi in 1522. In an attempt to preserve as many rights as they could, the Symiots offered gifts to the Sultan and gained in return the grant of many special privileges such as the freedom of religious express and speech. Great progress was achieved in letters, crafts, and schools such as the Ag. Marina Academy was founded (1756 – 1821). Prosperity in shipping and commerce gave the Symiots the opportunity to support the national war of independence from the Turkish dominion both by participating in the war and by financially supporting this national cause. Unfortunately, in 1832 Symi was found once again under the Turkish dominion, which in 1912 was succeeded by the Italian dominion, which was particularly harsh on the locals. Once very prosperous, Symi confronted poverty – at that time the replacement of sailing with motor ships also occurred, sponge driving decreased and World War II begun resulting in a great 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 on September 25 1944, date when the island’s Castle and its surroundings were blown up. On May 8th 1945, the Germans signed the Treaty of the Dodecanese Surrender while on April 1st 1947, the British Military Command handed over its 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.  
 
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