Seeking Wanderland

Syros Island is the capital of the Cyclades; throughout the nineteenth century the island was transformed into the economic, administrative and cultural center of the Region and was considered one of the most significant ports in the Eastern Mediterranean, due to its central position. Today the island possesses a very cosmopolitan yet traditional unique character, formerly one of the most important islands in the history of Cycladic civilization, Syros successfully blends culture, entertainment, and religion, with a vast Catholic community and both Catholic and Orthodox churches on the island.

The capital of the island, Ermoupoli, named after the protector God of travellers and merchants Hermes, was one of Greece’s earliest commercial and industrial centers. The Industrial Museum, which is located in three separate facilities, depicts the town’s industrial progress over the years. The port of the island is also located here making the town a busy yet sublime spot. The enormous Town Hall, one of Ernst Ziller’s 19th-century masterpieces, the marble flagstones at the town square, graceful high-ceilinged neoclassical structures, such as the restored Apollo Theatre (a miniature of Milan’s La Scala), the Hellas Club, the Pallas cinema, and many more excellent specimens of the neoclassical architecture, exude an impression of past affluence.

From the medieval city of Ano Syros, to the ancient ruins of Galissas and the neoclassical houses with the majestic gardens at Posidonia, Syros is a unique place of everlasting historical tradition and culture. Arcaheological sites, prehistoric settlements, Roman tombs, traditional houses, hidden beaches, tranquil scenery, protected waterways, and lovely coves are only some of the elements a wanderer will find in this regal island. Furthermore the island’s gastronomy is very rich and tasty with specimens like halvadopita (nougat pie), the finger-licking loukoumia (Turkish delight), the cold meats louza and maratholoukanika, and the PDO cheese San Michali.

Syros is a regal island with many faces. It is ideal for summer vacation or for a weekend escape during the spring and fall, especially Easter is very interesting in this island, with the capital embellished and illuminated, ready to celebrate both the Orthodox and Catholic Easter. Equipped with its own airport and everyday routes from Piraeus port, it is easily accessible from the mainland as well as from other Cyclades islands, making it a worthy stop on every island hopping itinerary in the Cyclades.