Syros
Syros is the capital of Cyclades prefecture. Its distance form Piraeus port is 83 nautical miles and covers an area of 86 sq.km.
Ermoupolis, the island’s capital and its main harbour, is an extremely beautiful city, a result of the hard labour and the business acumen of the Greek refugees from the destroyed by the Turks islands of Psara, Chios and Kasos.
Syros was a free island and at the time under the French protection. In 1826 the diligent islanders came to Syros, seeking a place to live after the destruction of their homelands, founded Ermoupolis and worked hard in order to make the town the pride of the islands, the capital of Cyclades. Because of the island’s rapid commercial and naval growth, Ermoupolis became a city of vivid social life, with neo-classic buildings, industries, handicrafts, music halls and theatres. Large streets, marble steps, unique churches, a magnificent Town hall, the Apollo Municipal Theatre -a small copy of La Scala of Milan-, the Archaeological Museum, the Municipal Library denote the glory, the luxury and the greatness of the island’s past.
Ano Syros praised by Markos Vamvakaris, in perfect opposition to Ermoupolis, is built according to the medieval Cycladic architectural style, with arches, alleys, picturesque taverns, reflecting the habits and the life style of the island’s inhabitants -Catholics in their majority-, prior to Ermoupolis’ prosperity.
Syros is characterised by the lacy shores that form safe bays of warm waters and sandy beaches. Famous for the neo-classic resorts and their beautiful sandy beaches, are the areas of Finikas, Delagratsia and Galissa.
Some beaches have access only by the sea, as Delfini and Gramata where the ancient seamen carved on the rocks wishes for their boats.
Sights
- The Centre for Historical Studies of the Catholic Diocese of Syros
- The Town Hall
- The Apollo Theatre
- The Folklore Museum
- Markos Vamvakaris Museum
- Kastri and Halandriani with the important prehistoric findings
- The Archaeological Museum
- The Municipal Library
Information
Access-Transportation
By Ship
From Piraeus port, Rafina port, Lavrio port and the surrounding islands
Syros port authority 0030 22810 88888
Piraeus port authority 0030 213 2147600
Rafina port authority 0030 22943 21200
Lavrio port authority 0030 22923 20401
By Plane
Syros airport “Dimitrios Vikelas” 0030 22810 79545
Distance: 2 km form Ermoupolis
Useful
Area: 86 sq km
Capital: Ermoumolis
Syros municipality administratively belongs to Cyclades prefecture (South Aegean Region). Ermoupolis is the capital of Cyclades prefecture.