SYROS

General Information Ermoupoli Ano Syros The rest of the island How to get there Area 86 sq. km. Distance from Piraeus: 83 nautical miles Distance from Rafina: 63 nautical miles

The northern part of Syros is mountainous and the island stands out in general for the variety of the landscape in its hinterland, where hills alternate with low-lying farming areas. The coastline is indented with inlets of all sizes between capes. There are two large bays, of Ermoupoli to the east and Finikas to the west. Archaeological excavations have shown that Syros was inhabited in Neolithic times. Digs at Kastri and Halandriani have revealed a prehistoric acropolis, a settlement and a burial ground, and yielded artefacts of the Early Cycladic period.

Ermoupoli, "Queen of the Cyclades", is the capital and main harbour of Syros. It is also without doubt the capital of all the Cyclades. Ermoupoli stands on a naturally amphitheatrical site, with neo-classical buildings, old mansions and white houses in the island style cascading down to the harbour. The centre of the town, where Miaouli Square stands ringed with cafes, has a grandeur all its own.

Among the most important buildings are the Town Hall (to plans by Ziller) and the Apollo Municipal Theatre, which is a copy in miniature of La Scala, Milan. There is also a statue of Admiral Miaoulis.

Ermoupoli has numerous magnificent churches, the most interesting of which are those dedicated to the Transfiguration, the Dormition of Our Lady, St Demetrius, the Three Hierarchs, and the St Nicolas. The Archaeological Museum has a collection of notable finds, and the Municipal Library contains numerous interesting and rare editions. The quarter of the town known as Vaporia, where the sea-captains lived, is of a special interest. Along its narrow streets stand neo-classical mansions.

Ano Syros (Upper Syros), with its walls, narrow lanes and arches, has kept much of its medieval character. The steep streets and countless steps lend the town the charm of a bygone age.

At very top of the town is the Catholic Cathedral of St. George, next to which stands the Centre for Historical Studies. Not far below are the monasteries of the Jesuits and Capucins. In the centre of the town is the Town Hall, with the Historical Archives of the Municipality of Ano Syros, and the Museum devoted to the popular composer Markos Vamvakaris, revered as one of the masters of Greek music. Varius folklore events take place in Ano Syros, generally during the summer.

On the north-east side of the island are Halandriani and Kastri hill, where important prehistoric finds have been made. The beaches of north-west Syros are difficult to reach. Among places of interest here is Gramata, where inscriptions dating from the Roman and Byzantine periods are to be found carved on the rocks.

The southern and western parts of Syros are the most densley-inhabited. The best beaches are also here, including Galissas, a fine, large resort with a long sandy beach; Possidonia or Delagratsia, a coastal area with a good beach at Agathopes and neo-classical houses of great architectural interest; Vari, with an attractive beach, Finikas bay, Kini and Gialos.

There are more good swimming beaches at Kimata, Agios Nikolaos, Ermoupoli, Ambela, Delfini and Ahladi. Syros is well-supplied with tourist amenities and its natural beauties and interesting monuments make it an ideal holiday destination. The ease of availability of products and services give the island an advantage over its more isolated neighbours.

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