 Symi town
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The town and capital of Symi lies in the north part of the island and comprises of two settlements the same beautiful and enchanting. Ano Symi on the top of the hill with the Castle of Knights and Gialo, the island’s protected port. Both of them have been characterized preservable.
The island’s style is obvious as you walk around the capital. As the ship anchors Gialo pictures of unique beauty fill your sight. In the central road you will see the famous Municipal clock, the imposing buildings of Police, Post Office and the historic building “Katerinetes”, where the convention of surrendering Dodecanese to Allies was signed.
In Gialo’s square you will see the old tarsanades. There was the place that the island’s ships were made.
The graphic and traditional architecture of past times is revealed in every path of the town. The two-storey, well-preserved neoclassic buildings of 19th century with the pediments and pebble stone yards, beautiful specimen of folkloric art, prove – apart from financial robustness – the good taste and culture of these people.
The island’s Naval Museum is located in Gialos and exhibits miniatures of ships, implements, naval tools and all the necessities of traditional sponge diving.
From Skala square and following “Kali Strata” with the 500 stairs, you can reach the settlement of Ano Symi. This route might be a little tiring but it will pay you back with unforgettable pictures and unique photos.
Walking in the paths of Ano Symi visitors come across beautiful neoclassic residences of traditional architecture with dome-shaped doors, balconies and fireplaces in the yards, that means outdoor kitchens.
Most of these houses are painted in ochre and are roofed with tiles. Their interior is decorated with carven, since this art has a long tradition in the island.
On the top of the hill where Ano Symi is located you will see the remains of a Venetian Castle and in its entrance, Saint John Knights’ emblem. In its interior the church of Panagia of Kastro with an impressive wooden chancel screen and byzantine icons. From the church’s yard the view towards the town is panoramic.
Worth visiting in Ano Symi is Pontikokastro, a prehistoric barrow and one of the most ancient monuments in the whole island.
Don’t miss visiting the Archaeologic and Folkloric museum in Lieni neighborhood in Ano Symi. It is roofed under a renovated traditional mansion. It hosts exhibits from different periods of time that reveal important parts of the island’s history. You can see: statues’ heads, and sepulchral steles of ancient times, monuments of paleochristianic and metabyzantine period, byzantine and metabyzantine icons. Really remarkable is the folkloric collection of the island.
Swim in the beaches close to Gialo. The closest beach is in Symi’s Yacht Club. Impressive is the beach Agios Georgios Disalonas. Above the sea is literally “hanging” a rock creating a unique spectacle. The most famous beach n the island is that of Nanou. A beautiful sandy beach with pine trees very close to the sea. You can approach the small island of Agia Marina right across Gialo, Agio Emiliano and Agio Vasilio with beautiful beaches and landscapes.
In Gialo and Ano Symi you will find hotels and rooms to let of all categories. Most of them are roofed under traditional mansion houses that will make your staying unforgettable. Options for entertainment are many. There are bars with greek or foreign music, while worth watching are the cultural events. While staying in Symi you will enjoy the local cuisine with fine recipes.
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