syros capital of the cyclades
Overview & Reasons to visit
Syros is the administrative capital of the Cyclades, Ermoupolis the main town has a University, Courts, Offices,Museums and a Theatre so has a larger resident population than many other islands. Ship building has been a major industry on Syros this is still the case. The ship building and other industries have contributed to the wealth of the island and the wealth is noticable in the many substantial Neo Classical mansions in the town. Ermoupolis is also the main port for the island and hub for local transport. There are 2 large churches in Ermoupolis, the Orthodox Agios Nikolaos and the Catholic Cathederal of St George both overloooking the town from a hill. The town is a busy vibrant place with plenty of thing to see and do and a host of shops, tavernas and coffee shops. The rest of the island can be divided into two, the south has beaches and places to stay and the north is rugged,mountainous with few roads. The south has a string of small villages with beaches including Megas Gialos,Finikas,Galissas and Kini which all have accomodation, tavernas and shops.
How to reach
Syros can be readily reached by ferry from Piraeus or from Rafina via Tinos
Seajets,Blue Star, Hellenic Seaways & Minoan all offer ferry services
Syros airport has domestic flights from Athens but no international flights.
Travelling Around
There are regular local buses which start in Ermoupolis and do a circular route around the southern part of the island both in a clockwise and anticlock wise direction
The KTEL website has bus timetables link below
There are a number of car & bike hire companies in Ermoupolis
Taxis are available in Ermoupolis but you will also find local taxis in some of the beach resorts
Sights & Beaches
Ermoupolis has numerous places of interest, it is a bustling town with Plateia Miaoulis at its heart with the County Hall and Court and a small Museum. Above the square are the 2 hills with St Georges Cathederal and the Church of Agios Nikolaos looking down on the town. The surrounding streets are a mixure of Cycladic styles in the Ano Syros district and French influenced neoclassical houses of the wealthy merchants in Vaporia.
To the south lies the industrial area and shipyards including the site where the Enfield 8000 electric car was made.
The harbour front has a large number of tavernas & restaurants with shops in the street behind.
Culture is catered for with a cinema and the Apollontheatre and an extensive program of concerts and festivals.
Beaches ring the south of the island from Azolimnos near the airport then Megas Gialos,Posidonia,Finikas,Galissas & Kini all have sand ,sea and facilites!
History
Syros has been inhabited from early Cycladic times then through the Phoenician, Minoans and then the Mycenaean period. Ionians are thought to have settled on Syros in 10th century B.C.Homer referred to the island as Syrii. Syros was part of the the Athenian LeagueAfter Roman rule end piracy for several centuries led Syros to decline. Along with the other Cycladic islands, Syros belonged to the Aegean Theme during Byzantine era.
Syros came under Venetian rule as part of the Duchy of the Aegean,during which the local community welcomed the Catholic doctrine. During the Ottoman rule the islands Catholics came under the protection of France.During the 19th century due to its key location and its stronger self-government, Syros became known as a maritime centre. Remaining neutral during the Greek War of Independence attracted many Greek-Orthodox refugees from Asia Minor and other islands. In 1833 Ermoupolis became the capital of the Cyclades. The economy of the island declined in early 20th century and this was worsened by the German Occupation in 1941.