CHURCHES MONASTERIES

Symi has more than 13 churches and many chapels
PANORMITIS: The most important of the island and the second most important in the Dodecanese after the monastery of St. john in Patmos. It lies on the southern tip of Symi in a secluded, sandy bay. Nothing is known concerning its founding date other than the dates of additions that were made to its buildings, at the and of 18th century. Dedicated to Archangel Michael it has a solid gold icon of the saint in the main church, a host of dedications, wall paintings and a wooden iconostasis of exceptional artistry.
On the fast day of the Monastery (November 8th ) worshippers come not only from all other Dodecanese islands.
The monastery’s guest house can accommodate 500 people Panormitis can be reached by caique from Yialos or by car.
Other monasteries are: Roukouniotis Monastery, dedicated to the Archangel Michael which lies west of Chorio. Its main church has wail paintings from 14th century .
Kokkimidis monastery. An old monastery renovated in 1697. The Monastery of Sotiris tou Megalou and the Monastery tou Stavrou tou Polemou which can be seen high up on the mountain, on the west coast as you came from Tilos to Symi.