Top Best 10 Greek Islands - Symi, The Lady of Aegean

As you arrive at the beautiful harbor of Symi for the first time is like facing the painting of a Venetian village. Preserved houses next to each other, while behind them rise the steep slopes.

Simi distinguished by a romantic charm that further strengthened by the fact that it is no high-rise tourist facilities and infrastructure can be met in some other islands of the Dodecanese.
Symi enjoy tremendous pebble beaches where you'll get a small boat which are frequent. Be sure to visit the Monastery of Archangel Michael Panormitis (a wonderful Byzantine frescoes and wooden temple).

 Symi belongs in the Dodecanese and is located northwest of Rhodes, the port which is 24 miles , and 255 nm from the port of Piraeus. Located near the shores of Asia Minor, the area is 68 square kilometers and the coastline of 85 km. Impressive as you approach Simi Gialos. The houses range from the harbor and climb to the top of the hill is the Castle of the Knights - the Upper Village and Simi. Simi consists of two main settlements - the beaches which is the port and the Upper Village and Simi is the capital of the island. The ascent from Yialos to Ano Simi is the Kali Strata 500 with wide stairs of old and beautiful neoclassical houses stand right and left of the Good.

Finally, do not forget to visit the Monastery of Archangel Michael Panormitis the homonymous cove on the northwest of the island site, which combines mountain and sea. An important site of Simi and hundreds of people visit daily. The whole island is ideal for hiking where you re-cover the numerous monasteries and churches on the island!

The whole island has been identified and preserved the traditional, neoclassical settlement in the northern part, is well preserved. The capital of the island, Symi, consisting of Upper and Symi Yialos.

The neo-classical buildings are usually two-storied, colorful, with prominent architectural and decorative tiles, balconies, classic balconies and fireplaces in the yards, nearly all have sea views. From government buildings stand on the tower clock in 1880, the tower ladder Lirenou in the building of the police, the building of office and mail.

 Simi's history begins in ancient times, from mythology. The ancient name was Egli, and Metapontis Kariki. The first inhabitants of the island are the Cares and Leleges. Simi in the Iliad, Troy As war which involved the king of Nireas with three ships.

From 1309 begins a period of prosperity for the island's development of maritime trade in the sponge-ryu, shipbuilding and the arts. This period starts and residential development, the beauty of which is kept to this day.

In 1983 he created the maritime museum of art and in 1990 was housed in one of the most representative neo-classical houses in the area, where the shipyard was the center of the island. It has a section devoted to the sponge with exhibits such as: diving, diving cameras, types of sponges, and other accessories  sponge and sponge-fishing boat models.

The visit to the Maritime Museum is a pilgrimage to the island's maritime tradition which through the exhibits, the visitor will travel to the depths of myth and history will acknowledge and seamanship  of Symi.