Symi Island History From 164 AD to the 20th Century
Many records no longer exist, and much of the ancient history is open to speculation. The following (and other articles about the history of the island) are based on what evidence I have found in books and notes made by local historians.
Roman times (around 164 AD)
Evidence of the Roman occupation can be seen at Nimborios (Emborios) in the form of a Roman floor mosaic and the early Christian Basilica - now much added to. More evidence can be found at the Symi Folk Museum, upper Horio in the parish of Agia Triatha. These artefacts, including pedestals and sculptures, have been collected from all around the island.
Byzantine times
And if you are on Symi: As you approach the Castro, stop at the bottom of the final slope and look to the old walls. Here you will see the last remaining evidence of a Byzantine wall. This consists of large, dark grey boulders that start on a slope; by the time they reach the top of the wall though they are flat.
1204
Constantinople was conquered by the Franks. Meanwhile, the governor of Rhodes, one Leon Gavalos, made himself 'Caesar' and created an independent state that included Symi. Something we'd all like to be able to do I am sure.
'Good morning dear, what are you doing today?'
'Thought I'd make myself Caesar actually.'
'That sounds like hard work dear, pass the toast would you?'
'Well, no one else has the title so I may as well. Think I will include that nice little island in my empire too, the one you like to go to for your holidays. Any more tea in the pot?'
1224
But twenty years later a Byzantine fleet captured Rhodes and they also took Symi while they were about it. The island thus came under the jurisdiction of the Nicaean Empire. The Empire of Nicaea was the largest of the states founded by refugees from the Byzantine Empire after Constantinople was conquered during the Fourth Crusade. It lasted from 1204 to 1261.
I am getting the impression that there are a lot of displaced people sailing around the Aegean at this point, all staking claims to islands as quickly as possible, in case someone else has their eye on the same piece of real estate. This trend continued over time and the practice of grabbing the best spot in the Aegean can still be seen on beaches, and around swimming pools, where a similar scramble for the sun beds happens to this day.
1261
Symi became part of the Byzantine Empire, again. Well, I wish someone would make up their mind as to who is going to have it.
1278
Rhodes and surrounding islands, including Symi, are 'given' to Delkavo of Genoa
'Happy birthday Delkavo my old mate. I got you this gift...'
'Oh you shouldn't have.'
'That's what the islanders said. But there you go.'
1282
The island is given to Andronicus Palaeologus and his brother.
'Hi boys, how's it going?'
'Hello Delkavo, what's up?'
'Well, I got this island for my birthday a few years back and I really can't be done with it any more. I don't suppose you'd like it would you?'
'Why not, never had an island of our own before. What's it like in the winter?'
1309 to 1522
Knights of St. John
Now, at last, we can settle down for a bit, well, for 213 years, and even those years were not always very settling ones for Symi.
Evidence of the occupation of the Knights of St John (later The Knights of Malta) can be seen on 'the iron gate', the original entrance to the Castro fortification. You will see here the coat of arms, on a marble plaque, of the senior magistrate, D'Amboise (1503 to 1512) and, on the blue and white church inside the Castro grounds, stone plaques showing coats of arms for the hospitaler order and other Grand Masters.
1460, 1485, 1504
Symi is repeatedly attacked by the Turks, and defended. A situation which, I am pleased to report, doesn't happen these days. In fact our neighbours across the water are welcomed with open arms. And people visiting or living on Symi can pop across and do some shopping at the Saturday market; a popular day trip if you are here in the summer.
1522
Ottoman Empire
One day in 1522 Symi found itself under Ottoman rule but, unlike other islands, it received special status and enjoyed autonomy and self-government. During this time the main business of the island was ship building, but Symi also gained its 'special status' from providing the mainland with sponges and bread.
And from now on the island's history is better documented, so expect a lot of dates:
18th century
1750 - The building that now houses the Folk Museum was built as a private house.
1765 - 1821 The 'Museum of the Symiot Land' flourished. This was a school situated at Ag. Marina on the outskirts of the village, not on the beach of the same name, much to the annoyance of its pupils. They were doubtless even more frustrated by the fact that this was a boarding school and they were required to stay there throughout the week, with their homes in view across the valley.
1775 - Symi had an Ottoman overseer on the island, being paid by the islanders. He had no particular responsibility on the island and was only really there 'for show'. Money for old rope if you ask me.
19th century
1815 - Symi had 50 large sailing ships and 50 fishing ships.
1821 - The Greek Revolution happened
Whoa! That was a bit of a sweeping statement.
Actually the Greek Revolution started on 25th March 1821 and finished, if you like, on 22nd March 1829, when the modern Greek state was created. The revolution came about because people were pretty feed up with 400 years of Ottoman rule and fancied having their own country back thank you very much.
There are many stories, and heroes of this conflict that are worthy of more than my flippancy, and there are many books about the subject if you are interested to learn more. I'm simply not up to the task of distilling this crucial period of Greek history into a few light paragraphs.
1863 - The Skafandro (the mechanical sponge diving machine and suit) was introduced to the island; 'naked' diving though continued. And before you get excited, 'naked' diving involved the diver holding his breath, sinking by holding a 'bell stone', gathering sponges, dropping the stone, floating to the surface and pulling the stone back up again. Were the divers actually naked? I advise you to visit the folk museum, where you can see some original bell stones, but no naked divers, and ask the curator. Don't miss the Nautical Museum in Yialos either (at the back of the man square), and any of the sponge sellers will happily give you an interesting account of the sponge diving history of Symi. They will even more happily sell you a sponge.
1869 - Turkey restricted Symi's privileges this year, raised taxes and abolished its free port status. I get the impression that someone upset someone important around now.
1872 - The first 'reading room' of the Aegean was founded on Symi, the 'Aigli'.
1874 - The reading room produced its own periodical.
1885 - Turkish rulers introduced censuses for goods and property. There were violent reactions. However, trade flourished and large mansion houses were built. As were more churches; Roukouniotis and Panormitis, among others, were in their heyday.
For more information about Symi and to find out more about author James Collins, go to www.symidream.com
About the Author
How to make Iraqi flat bread
[simpleaffiliate source="amazon" results="10"]turkish flat bread[/simpleaffiliate]
[simpleaffiliate source="cj" results="5"]turkish flat bread[/simpleaffiliate]
[simpleaffiliate source="clickbank" results="2"]turkish flat bread[/simpleaffiliate]
