An island, a city, a live museum

The central location of the island made Syros one of the most important ports in the Eastern Mediterranean during the 19th century, soon turning it into the commercial, administrative and cultural center of the Cyclades island complex. Hermoupolis still resembles an open-air museum, a live monument of neoclassical architecture with relics and cultural treasures worth discovering. From the medieval city of Ano Syros, the ancient monuments of the Early Cycladic period in Kastri, the municipality of Syros-Hermoupolis, the Apollon Theater resembling Scala di Milano, the Orthodox and Catholic coexistence as well as the various influences from Asia Minor and all the way to the machine center in Neorion operating since 1861, Syros is a unique place of everlasting historical tradition and culture.

Syros- holidays all year round

The island’s privileged location along with its advanced tourist infrastructure and special character make it an ideal destination for authentic and alternative holidays in the Cyclades. Syros is considered a favorable pole of attraction throughout the year as each season dresses the already breathtaking scenery with its own colors and aromas, with its own beauties and contrasts always offering a special and unforgettable experience for all visitors.

The History of a Queen

Prehistoric findings in the areas of Halandriani and Kastri prove that Syros has been inhabited since the 3rd millennium BC and also had a great commercial activity while various evidence for the existence of metallurgy plans bears witness to the island’s relationship with Asia minor. During the 2nd millennium Syros is found under the rule of the Phoenicians, of Minoan Crete and the Mycenae while in the 1st Millennium the island passes to the hands of the Ionians. From the 7th to the 3rd century B.C. there are traces of settlements and rural areas in different parts of the island.

In the classical and Hellenistic period Syros joins the Athenian Alliance with its own currency and administration while during the Hellenistic period findings of temples are brought to life like the one of the philosopher of antiquity Pherecydes between Richopos and Platy Vouni in Ano Syros. The cosmologist Pherecydes was born and died on the island in the 6th century BC. He was a teacher who taught in Samos some of the greatest scientists of ancient times such as Pythagoras, and is said that he spent most of his life inside a cave. The cave survives to the day in a magical landscape where earth and sky become one, where the view to the sea can only be described as miraculous. Apart from being a great philosopher Pherecydes was also the inventor of the first solar clock, also known as the Sunflower of Pherecydes. The sunflower looks like a sump or well that could be used in antiquity for the irrigation of water. In fact it is an ancient and expensive solar observatory that marks the time and the 4 seasons of Syros depending on the motion of the Sun. This prehistoric Sunflower is located in the village of San Michali.

The copper coins found on the island from the Roman times and the issuance of silver coins in the 2nd century BC show commercial development while the invading pirates during the Byzantine period cause the abandonment of the island. Soon Syros becomes part of the Theme of the Aegean Sea and the first Catholic settlement of Ano Syros is created under the rule of the Venetians.

In the Ottoman period Syros passes into a new era characterized by the reduction of taxes, the freedom of religion and the establishment of both the Capuchin Monks and the Jesuits who leave their individual mark on the island.

In 1728 the island suffers from the plague, but slowly and gradually until the 19th century it reaches an economic growth and moves towards the development of a self-government and a public assembly. The island’s population doubles, reaching 4000 inhabitants and begins to show a great improvement in the fields of trade and shipping.

During the Greek Revolution of 1821, the refugees from Smyrni and Aivali as well as from the nearby islands find shelter on the island where they built the first houses as well as the first Orthodox temple and slowly transform Ano Syros into a city-jewel, a city characterized by its vibrant spirit and its magnificent architecture, a city that gave a boost to businesses that slowly and steadily began to grow. With 22,000 inhabitants in 1889, the town of Ermoupolis becomes a superpower engaged in manufacturing, shipping, building activities, tannage while promoting intellectual freedom with the establishment of schools, clubs and theaters such as the Apollo theater that quickly began to blossom.

The 20th century, however, starts with unpleasant omens for the island, the power acquired by Athens and Piraeus, the opening of the Corinth Canal, the development of steam navigation and the occupation by the Germans in 1941 slowly bring complete destruction.

After the occupation, the limited agricultural production carries on while factories begin to close down the one after the other and the population of the island diminishes day by day.

But slowly and gradually Syros is reborn from its ashes, it is once again molded and transformed as culture is a concept deeply rooted in its grounds.

The the island’s spiritual and artistic tradition begins to attract tourists of high cultural and social status. The exceptional mansions as well as the unique architecture of public buildings in Ermoupoli give the feeling of an open-air museum that slowly begins to be acknowledged by the continuous visitors.

HERMOUPOLIS: The open-air museum of Syros

The capital of Syros as well as of the insular complex of the Cyclades exudes an aura of neoclassical romance harmoniously combining elements from ancient Greece and Western Europe.

Visitors are welcome to follow the narrow streets through the picturesque neighborhoods, discover images and experiences of a bygone era and encounter monuments along with neoclassical buildings from the imperious history.

From the impressive Town Hall in Miaouli square, inspired by Ernest Ziller and the palaces of Troy, the Apollon Theater which is a miniature of Scala di Milano, the mansions in the charming area of Vaporia, the municipal library and the remarkable museums of the island to the Temple of the resurrection and other beautiful Orthodox and Catholic churches, the town of Hermoupolis constitutes much more than a beautiful island capital, it constitutes an open-air museum worth exploring from side to side.It is a cosmopolitan capital with its own special character, a vibrant city buzzing with life throughout the year.

Hermoupolis has an excellent tourist infrastructure and offers a wide variety of facilities for accommodation, dining, entertainment and relaxation with a breadth of accommodation options, cafes, restaurants and bars as well as plenty of sports facilities and cultural venues.

The Syros  Culture festival constitutes one of the island’s main cultural institutions and a benchmark for its guests. It is a festival held each year during the summer giving an even more impressive cultural extension to the island.

Hermoupolis is the main port of the island connected daily with the ports of Piraeus, Rafina, the Cyclades and the North Aegean Sea. The island’s airport is situated at a distance of 3 kilometers and offers direct flights to Athens.

Flavors of Syros

The island’s gastronomy followed a journey through time, a journey of flavours and aromas from all parts of Greece; from the refugees from Chios and those from Asia minor that first introduced to the locals the Turkish delights and sweets, to the refugees from Smyrni that brought along the spices of the Orient and the Capuchin monks with the prickly pears. The specialities of the island differed quite a bit from the usual island delicacies, as they have been influenced by other cultures, thus giving every syrian dish a unique character with unique tasty combinations like pork with quinces, boiled meat with caramelized tomatoes, baked fish with herbs and raisins as well as stuffed tomatoes and peppers with pine nuts.

Many traditional recipes stand out in the island’s gastronomy such as Aetopita (a pie made with fish and vegetables), karabola (saucy snails with Sage), lachanodolma (cabbage leaves stuffed with rice) with raisins and other specialities including the meletinia cheese pies, marathopita (fennel pie), louiza (verbena) , grilled pancetta, sisyra (pork), braised fligkouni (entrails) and local Psaraki (tenderloin). Yet the journey of tastes and flavours doesn’t stop there. It goes on with delectable desserts such as pastelaries (salted figs), traditional Turkish delights and delicious nougat-pies (chalvadopites).

Traditional Products

Syros's Turkish Delights (Loukoumia)

The Syros’s Turkish delights have their roots in Asia Minor and first appeared on the island near 1832 with the arrival of refugees from Chios and the first loukoumi (Turkish delight) that was produced by Stamatelakis. Loukoumi is a sweet made with water, starch and sugar through a very difficult and time consuming process and it is available in various flavours like rose, mastic, bergamot, rose-sugar, clementine, almond, pistachio, walnut and coconut, either plain or stuffed. What makes the local Loukoumi unique and incomparable is said to be the island’s water making Loukoumi the number one product on the island as well as an integral part of the island’s history and tradition.

Nougat Pie (Halvadopita)

The Nougat pie of Syros is the second most favorable and popular product of the island. The nougat pie is a tasteful dessert prepared from local products such as honey and sugar, glucose, vanilla, egg whites and almonds.

Local Sausage (Loukanika)

The Sausages of Syros are made with pork and have a very special flavour owed to the fennel, that’s why the sausages are also called aromatic. Syros also produces spicy sausages (pikantika) which are an equally tasty variation, characterized by the addition of garlic.

Louza

A traditional Cycladic style, pork meze, made from Sirloin that is first marinated in red wine with black pepper, allspice, cloves and cinnamon and is then hung to dry in the air.

San Michali Cheese

San Michali Cheese is a product from the homonym village of San Michali in Syros and possesses a protected designation of origin since 1996. It is one of the most expensive cheeses of domestic production and stands out for its unique spicy flavour. This is a hard yellow cheese from pasteurized cow’s milk similar to the Italian Parmesan, with light aromas of hazelnuts and nuts. It is primarily served as a table cheese or as an accompaniment to pasta.

Sweet Gruyere

Graviera is made from cow’s milk and it is part of the local production available only at certain periods throughout the year.

Spicy Kopanisti

Soft cheese, in creamy form with intense peppery flavour.

Fresh Cheese

White cheese made from fresh local milk and whey residue.

Petrota

Soft cheese from local sheep’s or goat’s milk that is sold in cheese wheels. Its name derives from the process of removal of milk by exerting pressure with stone.

Capers

Capers grow on the steep cliffs of the island, in the area of Apano Meria and on stony soils. The capers of Syros have a special flavour and texture that is affected by the island’s sunlight and drought as well as the sweet sea breeze.

Fennel-Mash of fennel

The fennel is found in abundance on the island of Syros and that is why it is used in many specialties of the local cuisine, both in the form of leaves and seeds and in the form of pulp. The seeds are primarily used for sausages and the leaves for making a pie (marathopita).

Sundried Tomatoes

Local tomatoes that have withered under the Aegean Sun and preserved in jars with salt.

Pastelaries

Dried figs with walnuts that are an ideal choice for those wishing to boost their energy replacing similar cereal bars.

ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES 

Hiking

The Hiking Team of Syros allows travelers to discover beautiful hidden secrets of the island in the most delightful way.

Horse riding

The Cyclades Equestrian Club, in Livadia invites travellers to the most scenic trails of the island so as to enjoy the most relaxing riding in nature.

Boat trips

From the port of Syros one can rent a boat and visit the nearby islets Didimi and Aspro as well as the most rugged beaches. If you are interested in more details, contact us.