We took the ferry to Symi this morning. First stop was Panormitis, to see the Monastery, dedicated to Symi’s patron saint, the protector of sailers. The interior of the little church was entirely frescoed in the 18th century. Papa and I walked around the harbor, surrounded by rocky hills and crystal clear water.
The ferry’s next stop was in Symi Town, considered one of the most beautiful harbor’s in Greece. We visited Symi Town about 12 years ago and wanted to return. Today was the day! The harbor area has clear blue water and is surrounded by Neo-Classical houses painted in pastel colors, and elaborate churches built on the hillsides. Today’s population of Symi, 2250, is considerably smaller than 23,000 of its heyday, when Symi was a boat building town, launching 500 ships a year. By the 17th century, it was the third richest island in the Dodecanese. The Italian occupation in 1912 and the arrival of artificial sponges and steam power ended Symi’s good fortunes and it’s population plummeted, with the mansions crumbling during the 20th century. Today, the mansions are being redone and there is a buzz of activity along the harbor. We had lunch on the water and walked up and down the steep stairs, for a closer view of the homes on the hillsides above the port, in various stages of reconstruction. Symi is beautiful!
