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Simi Island
Now a sparsely populated island best known for its Neo Classical architecture, Simi was once a major commercial, sponge fishing and ship-building centre with a population of roughly 22 000 souls.
The island is approximately 13 km long, north to south, and about 8 km at its widest point. It is very steep and arid with some forests remaining on the high plateau.
The highest point is the Vigla at 616 meters. Surrounded by Turkey on 3 sides it was this proximity to Asia Minor combined with its relatively sheltered location and easily defended coastline that contributed to the island's prosperity. It is a popular destination with walkers, painters, and photographers. A number of writers have also chosen the island to pursue their muse and celebrities come to enjoy quiet anonymity.
The first known historical reference to Simi is in Homer's Odyssey when King Nireus of Simi contributed 3 ships to the Trojan War.
Occupied thereafter by Dorian Greeks, the island fell under various spheres of influence: Rhodian, Roman, Byzantine and that of the Knights of St John. Part of the Ottoman Empire from 1522, it was occupied by the Italians from 1912 during the Turko-Italian War and remained Italian until the Second World War.
After an uncertain period during which Simi was bombed and attacked by both Allies and Axis alike, it fell under British Military Occupation at the end of 1944. In 1947 Simi and the other Dodecanese islands were incorporated into modern Greece.
It was renowned for its boat-building, sponge-fishing, viticulture, icon-painters, wood carvers and schools.
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