A small isolated Aegean island, closer to the Turkish coast than Greece, that no one imagines its beauties. However, the image of Symi’s port grasps you immediately. A neoclassic settlement spreads in an amphitheatric way from the sea to the rock peaks and greets the visitors, who faces surprised a landscape from previous era.
Symi is the eighth larger island in the Dodecanese and it’s highly attractive. It is located at the northwest of Rhodes and it is surrounded by two Anatolian peninsulas, ancient Knidia or Traheia (aka Reşadiye Peninsula) from the north side and Rodia or Peraias (aka Bozburun Peninsula) from the east side.
Symi is quite mountainous and is surrounded by dry and arid locations. However, in the inland of the island that is unseen from the coast, there are some areas filled with pine trees and cypresses.
Its coasts are not famous for the sandy beaches but they form three natural ports, Gyalos, the main port of the island, Pedi and Panormitis. There are also many bays and gulfs along with skerries and small islands (Nimos, Seskli).
The island was inhabited successively by Carians, Leleges, Dorians, people of Argos, Rhodians and people from Knidos. Generally the history of Symi is interwoven with that of Rhodes, since in 1309 the Knights of Rhodes took up Symi, which prospered during the time of occupation, since the Knights of Rhodes appreciated the beneficial location of the island for trade reasons and the experience of the people on shipbuilding and sailing.
In 1522 the island was subjected in Suleiman II and so people gained a lot of privileges that allowed its vast financial and cultural development for the next centuries. Despite its comfort and wealth, Symi participated actively in the Greek War of Independence in 1821 with soldiers and money. As a result people lost many of their privileges and didn’t succeed to be exempted from the Turkish yoke, as the rest of the Dodecanese. In 1912 Italians occupied Symi and that’s when the decadence begins since lots of inhabitants immigrated. On May 8, 1945 Symi surrendered along with the Dodecanese to the allies and on March 7, 1948 was united with the Greek state.
Is it its well preserved settlement with the neoclassic mansions? Is it the centuries of history carved on its rocks? Is it its unique aura?
Whatever it is, a trip to Symi is a pleasant experience that can’t be described unless you go there and feel its atmosphere.