Legacy welcomed preservation problematic....

Legacy welcomed preservation problematic....

Greece
Aegean Sea
Dodecanese
Simi island

Simi is a tiny island in south Aegean Sea belonging in the Dodecanesian complex. Despite its size the island posesses a remarcable importance in anciant Greek history and Mythology as much as in the recent Greek history. In Homer's "Iliad" the island is mentioned as the domain of king Nireus who fought in the Trojan war on the side of the Greeks. The period of the Ottoman occupation launched several centuries of prosperity for the island of Simi as a lot of locals showed a remarcable interest and dexterity in shipping and commerce in all the extent of Mediterranean Sea.It also retained many of the privileges granted by the Ottoman authorities due to a handsome taxation paid so at mid 19th century Simi thrived and prospered with the local seamen becoming very rich and powerful, building beautiful mansion houses and contributing with their ships in the Greek war of Independance (1821-1828). These beautiful houses are the trade mark of the island much admired and respected by the visitors always reminding a glorious and heroic past but with the present inheritors unable to contribute substantially to their maintenance due to the extereme cost and lack of state support.
Turism is the only mean for survival as the island is also rich in beaches and costs though the locals also eperiencing a very critical situation due to the vicinity of the turkish coast.

(The photos were taken in analogue photography with Velvia 50 positive slide film 120 (6X4,5) and then converted to digital with NIKON COOLSCAN 9000 )