The island was named after Sými (daughter of King Ialysós of Ródos), who was brought to the island by god Glávkos (sea god of the Aegean islands). Výron Polýdoras, in his article in the newspaper “Kathimeriní” published July 1996, wrote that “The legend is based on two symbolic and eternal qualities of Glávkos. He could dive to great depths and stay for a long time on the bottom. This is nothing different to the eternal aspect of the sponge divers of Sými, who freely dived naked with a stone, as a continuance of Glávkos, up until the modern sponge divers of Sými…”.
Homer wrote that the King of Symi Niréfs, took part in the Trojan War with 3 of its ships. The island was colonised first by Argeíans and then by the Lakedaimonians during antiquity. Athenians captured the island during the second half of the 5th century BC, and used it as a naval base. After this followed Roman rule and then from the 3rd century AD, the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire.
In the 14th century the island was conquered by the Knights of Ródos, and in turn the Turks, who took over the island peacefully in 1522. Sými thrived during the years of Turkish rule, because of the islanders great skill at sea. In fact the famous School of Agía Marína was founded in the 18th century. Italians ruled the island from the beginning until approximately the middle of 20th century, until it finally reunited with Mother Greece in 1948.
The Sýmians are a sea folk and brave divers. In days gone by, they travelled the sea with the sailing ships they built. The island sent many sailors to the Turkish fleet during the Turkish rule, and their fast ships were used as official messengers, and its harbour was declared a free port.
Celebrations: Feasts are held on the 21st of May with the celebration of Ag. Konstantínos, on the 24th June with Ag. Ioánnis (Pédi) and Pentikostís (Panormítis), on the 17th July with Ag. Marína (Nsis Ag. Marína), on the 20th July with Prophítis Ilías, on the 6th August with Metamóphosis, on the 15th August with Panagía, on the 24th August also with Panagía and on the 8th November with Archángelos Michaíl (Panormítis). Information from the Town Hall (24210 71302).
Flavours: There is a special way of preparing shrimp and “dolmadákia” (stuffed vine leaves) here. Try and you will be delighted!
The town of Sými is comprised of “Gialó”, in the harbour, and “Chorió”, which is built on a hill. The two are joined together. Chorió can be reached from Gialó by 500 large steps. Gialó has all the facilities of the island. Its houses are two or three-stories high and built with an island architecture, which gives a special colour to the place. The settlement has been characterised as traditional as has the settlement of Chorió.
In Gialó are the churches of Ag. Ioánnis (19th century), with remains of ancient temple built into its walls, and of Evangelístras in Charáni, as well as the Nautical Musuem (22460 72363). In Chorió are the buildings of the old pharmacy (19th century), Chatziagapitós’ Mansion (18th century, 22460 – 71114), the churches (17th – 19th century), the castle (its walls tell of the history of the island from the citadel of the ancient Greeks, to the Roman – Frankish and Italian rule), the church of the castle the Megáli Panagiá and finally the Archaeological Museum (22460 71114).
