Symi in Greece
The lovely,
mountainous, island of Symi lies 41 km (25 miles) from Rhodes. Part of
the Dodecanese group, the island is small, only 57 sq km (22 sq miles),
with a rocky coastline with small coves and sandy beaches.
In 1309, Symi
was conquered by the Knights of St John, who developed both a
boat-building industry, and the sponge diving trade. In the 1830s it
came under Turkish rule, followed in 1912 by Italian rule. Then the
capital of the Dodecanese. it was home to the world's largest sponge
fishing fleet, and a population of 30,000. The decline of sponge fishing
and damage during World War II led to Symi's decline, and today the
population is about 2,500.
When you are
there, visit the Monastery of Megalos Sotiris and Monastery of
Roukouniotis. Besides, you could also hire a boat to a secluded beach or
hike across the beautiful country side to any of the isolated chapels.
You can get
to Symi by boat or hydrofoil from Rhodes or Piraeus and the best weather
to visit Symi is from May to October when the temperature is most ideal.
