Syros is an island of the Cyclades. Its area is 86 km², it has 21,500 Inhabitants. Its main city is Ermoupoli.
The biggest cities are Ermoupoli, Possidonia and Vari. Ermoupoli is the capital of the island, of the
Cyclades and of the southern Aegean. It has always been an important port city and in the 19th
century it was even more so than Piraeus. The other villages are Galissas, Foinikas, Pagos, Manna,
and Kini.
Throughout history, the island was known as Syra and then Syros. Later it seems to have been
inhabited by the Phoenicians. The island was also the home of the philosopher Pherecydes, the
teacher of Pythagoras. It had two main cities, Syros (now modern Ermoupolis) and another city
(Galessus) on the west coast where Galissas is now.
Ermoupoli stands on a naturally amphitheater site, with neo-classical buildings, old mansions and
white houses cascading down to the port. It was built during the Greek War of Independence in the
1820s.
The town hall is located in the center of the city, on Miaoulis Square, surrounded by cafes, lounge
areas and palm trees. Nicknamed the “City of Hermes”, Syros has many churches. There is an
archaeological museum and a municipal library.
Ano Syros is the second city of Syros and was built by the Venetians in the early 13th century on the
hill of San Giorgio, northwest of Ermoupoli. Ano Syros retains a medieval atmosphere. Countless
steps between narrow streets and houses with colorful doors lead to the top of the city. The
medieval village of Ano Syros is accessible by car; the town is served mainly by marble steps. The
distance between the port and the main entry point of the city is about 1000 meters. The Catholic
Cathedral of Saint George dominates Ano Syros. The cathedral church was built in the 13th century.
From the cathedral, visitors have a panoramic view of the neighboring islands of Tinos, Delos,
Mykonos, Paros, Andros and Naxos….
