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  Symi(relief in the fortress of Bodrum) Symi is a small island six miles off the Asian coast: it is very arid: in the past (similar to Castelrosso) its importance was due to a very well repaired natural harbour on its eastern coast.
In 1309 the Knights of Rhodes landed on the island and built a castle on a hill overlooking on one side the harbour and on the other a small valley where some farming could be developed. The harbour is not visible from the open sea and the Knights kept there a fleet of light ships for their raids. A small arsenal built and repaired these vessels: the inhabitants acquired a reputation as carpenters which lasted until the early XXth century.
The old town surrounded the castle and only in more recent times it expanded towards and around the harbour.
The northern and western sides of the castle were protected by the steepness of the hill: there was only one mule-track leading to the old town. The steps you see in the image (far right) were added in the 1920s when the island was under Italian administration.
The castle was strengthened by Grand Master Emery d'Amboise in 1507 by adding a round bastion. It was greatly damaged during WWII and the portal at its entrance and its upper part were lost.
There are two small churches on the site of the castle: the larger one has been painted with the colours prevailing in some Cycladic islands (especially in Paros), while the typical architecture of Symi is entirely different and marked by red tiled roofs sheltering water tanks.
The coats of arms in the upper part of the castle which was blown up during WWII have been placed on the walls of the church: they belong to Grand Masters who first strengthened the fortifications of Rhodes after the 1453 fall of Constantinople.
The image used as background for this page shows a coat of arms of Grand Master d'Amboise on the walls of the castle. Move to: The Knights of Rhodes: introductory page Rhodes: the Gates Rhodes: the fortifications Rhodes: the town of the Knights Rhodes: Byzantine, Ottoman and Jewish memories Rhodes: modern Italian architecture Kos: the fortress Kos: the ancient town St Peter's Castle (Bodrum) Calimno Lero Castelrosso (Kastelorizo) Nissiro Lindos Other fortresses Clickable Map of the Ionian and Aegean Seas with links to other locations covered in this website (opens in a separate window)     |
