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The island of Simi |
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 The Town |
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| Beaches |
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| Photo Album |
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| Yellow Pages |
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 Simi, (or Symi) is reputed - in mythology - to be
the birthplace of the Three Graces. In antiquity it bore the names Aigli and Metapontis.
Its present name comes from the nymph Syme, who was Poseidon's wife. After its conquest by
the Knights of St. John in 1373, commerce and shipping flourished until steam replaced
sail. The stately mansions in the main town date from that period, which reached its peak
in the 19th century.Simi can be reached by the daily boat service from Rhodes distant 21 n.m. Its total area is 58 sq.km. and has a coastline of 84 km. While its interior is punctuated with small valleys, its coastline alternates between being steep and rocky or sandy and indented with little coves. Most of its beautiful desert beaches, can only be reached with small boats. Its population, today is just over the 2.500, and primary occupations are fishing, trade and tourism. Many foreigns visitors return here here regularly, or even own houses here. Since the mid-1980s the more desirable dwellings, most them ruined, have been sold off and the island has become almost the Idra of the Dodecanese. One of the island's most famous landmarks is the monastery of the Archangel Michael Panormitis on the southwest coast. Built in the early 18th century, it overlooks a beautiful bay. Here is also a small museum containing a strange mix of precius antiques, votive offerings and small models of ships. |
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