In the southwest part of the island, in the bay of Panormos, stands the celebrated monastery of Archangel Michael Panormitis. It is the most important pilgrimage for the inhabitants of Symi and the Dodecanese, known throughout Greece. No written sources date its construction, just speculation about a preexisting Early Christian basilica on the site. Extant inscriptions start in the 18th century. The ornate bell tower dominates the entrance to the monastery, leading to the pebbled courtyard of the monastic church, and to the buildings on its perimeter, which served daily needs (refectory, cells, guest reception room, chapels, warehouses, kitchen, etc.) There are also two museums, ecclesiastical and folk art, with remarkable exhibits.
The katholikon, dating to 1783, is a cross-vaulted vaulted church and was decorated with murals in 1792 by the Symiot painters Neophytos and Kyriakos. The wood-carved iconostasis of the same period is extremely interesting, and the larger than lifesize figure of the Archangel was silver-plated in 1724, leaving the archangel’s face free, which has been repainted.
The monastery of Panormitis played an important role both in the revolution of 1821 and during World War II. The monastery, a reference point in the daily life of the Symiots, but also famous in the Orthodox communities within and outside Greece, receives a large number of visitors, as well as numerous dedications for the miracles performed by Panormitis, reportedly in response even to requests placed in bottles thrown into the sea that were washed ashore in their final destination.
