symi island where symi marina in pedi is located

See & do in Symi island

Symi is a Greek island and municipality. It is sometimes known as Syme or Simi. It is hilly and comprises the harbor town of Symi and its neighboring higher town Ano Symi, as well as many smaller villages, beaches, and historical and mythological sites. Symi is assigned to the Rhodes regional unit.
Symi's economy has traditionally been based on the shipbuilding and sponge industries. During that time, the population peaked at 22,500 people. Symi's major business is now tourism, and its permanent population has dropped to 2,500, with a higher summer population.

The island is well-known for its one-of-a-kind shrimp. These little shrimps, known as "Symi's shrimps," are pan-fried and eaten whole (with the shell).

General Information

Geography

Symi is part of the Dodecanese island group, around 41 kilometers (25 miles) north-northwest of Rhodes (and 425 kilometers (264 miles) from Piraeus, Athens' harbor). The Datça and Bozburun peninsulas in Mula Province in Turkey are its closest land neighbors. Its interior is interspersed with tiny valleys, while its shoreline fluctuates between steep cliffs and beaches, as well as secluded coves. Its major town, Symi, is likewise located on the northeast coast and comprises of the lower town surrounding the port, known as Yialos, and the higher town, known as Horio or Ano Symi. Pedi, Nimborio, Marathounda, and Panormitis are other populated areas.

Tourist Attractions

Panormitis is home to the island's famed monastery, which attracts visitors from all over the globe, and each year, many Greeks pay tribute to St Michael of Panormitis. The island has a population of 2,580 people, the majority of whom work in tourism, fishing, and trading. Tourists and day-trippers boost the number of people on the island to as many as 6000 during the tourism season, which lasts from Easter until Panormitis Day in early November. Aside from its many historical buildings, the island's secluded beaches, many of which can only be reached by tiny boats, are popular with tourists. The municipality of Simi contains the uninhabited offshore islets of Gialesno, Diavátes, Koulondros, Marmarás, Nimos, Sesklio, and Chondrós.

History

In Greek mythology, Symi is said to be the birthplace of the Charites and to have gotten its name from the nymph Syme (the island was previously known as Aigli and Metapontis). The island is referenced in Homer's Iliad as the territory of King Nireus, who fought on the Greek side in the Trojan War and was regarded as the handsomest man in the Achaean troops after Achilles. Until the 14th century, nothing was known about the island, although archaeological evidence shows that it was constantly populated, and citadel remnants indicate that it was an important place. It was part of the Roman Empire and subsequently the Byzantine Empire until 1309, when it was conquered by the Knights of St. John.

Culture & Landmarks

- The Monastery of the Archangel Michael Panormitis is a Greek Orthodox monastery constructed in the early 18th century on the southwest coast.
- Ano Symi, has ruins of an old fortress and two castles.
- The municipal clock tower, which was constructed in 1880.
- The harbour's war memorial consists of a monument called "the Dove of Peace" in front of a bas-relief sculpture of a Trireme.

- Symi has thirteen main churches and dozens of chapels, some of which date back to the Byzantine era.
- The town of Nimborio features preserved old Pelasgian fortifications as well as a collection of twelve domes from artist studios.