Symi

Symi is a cosmopolitan island, with one of the prettiest and largest neoclassical towns in Greece. The island has rich, mythological traditions. The legendary King Nireas took part in the Trojan War, contributing three ships in the Greek effort. More recently, the local population has devoted itself to sponge-fishing and ship-building, activities which allowed favourable treatment during the Turkish occupation, which began in 1522.

The  island reached its peak during 19^th century, when it had 25,000 inhabitants. In 1945, the surrender of the Dodecanese Islands to the Allies was signed on Symi and Symi was officially united with Greece in 1948. It can be reached by ferry from Rhodes. The island extends over a surface of 58km², its coastline is 85km long and it has 2,500 inhabitants.

Courtesy of GNTO