Informations about Symi

Geographical & Historical Outline

The island of Symi lies north-west of Rhodes and east of Nisyros, in the embrace of the Turkish coast, 5 nautical miles from the Cape Alopos.
Symi is 24 nautical miles northwest of Rhodes and 255 nautical miles from the port of Piraeus.

It is deeply indented by the sea, which creates a lacy coastline.
The island has an area of 67 square kilometers and 85 kilometers of coastline.

The highest point is Mountain Vigla at 616 metres.

Symi History

According to Greek mythology, the three Graces were born on this beautiful island.

The history of the island begins in the ancient times when some of its names were Kirki, Aegli and Metapontis.

During the Peloponnesian War, there was a major naval battle near Symi, in which the Spartans were victorious.

The island was conquered in 1309 by the Knights of Saint John.
Then a period of prosperity began for Symi with a development of shipping, sponge commerce, and boat building.

In 1832 Symi was occupied by the Turks and in 1912 by the Italian dominion.

From 1943 when the Italian dominion ceased and onwards, Symi changed hands several times between the English and the Germans, with the English taking over the island for the third time in 1944.