Symi Island - GREECE |
SYMI ISLAND - GREECE
Symi is located in the Southern Dodecanese, north of Rhodes
and close to the coast of south-west Turkey.
Symi is just over 13 km north/south and about 8 km east/west
with an area of some 68 square km.
Symi is divided into distinctive areas - Yialos is the main
harbour. Chorio, literally 'village', is the top town. Pedi
Bay is the valley below Chorio, south of Yialos. Nimborios
is the bay and settlement to the north of Yialos. There is a
small settlement at Marathounda and a major Monastery
complex at Panormitis. The interior, a forested plateau with
many spectacular views, can be visited by car or bike on the
recently refurbished road from Symi town to Panormitis.
There are also many interesting walks and guided walks can
be arranged through tour operators in Yialos or walking
guides can be purchased from the Symi visitor office.
HISTORY IN A NUTSHELL
Symi's recorded history goes back as far as the Trojan Wars
(1120 BC) and its past is chequered, with a series of
invaders, beginning with the Dorians from the Pelponnese
(6th-7th century), the Romans, some two or three hundred
years afterwards, the Turks (1522-1912) and the Italians
(from 1912 until World War 2). Symi then became a
strategically important island and was subsequently invaded
- and bombed - by both the Axis and the Allies during each
others' occupations. Finally, in 1947, Symi along with the
rest of the Dodecanese islands became part of the Greek
nation. At its height - before the Italian occupation - Symi
was a thriving island with a population of more than 22,000.
It was renowned for its boat-building, sponge-fishing,
wine-making, its wood-carvers and icon-painters and the
outstanding educational quality of its schools. |
|
