24 June,1826 Syros; gathered in the courtyard of the newly built Greek-Orthodox temple of Metamorphosis, under the chairmanship of the Greek government envoy Mr. Drossos Mansolas, the local council unanimously approves the suggestion of its profound member Mr. Loukas Rallis to dedicate their newly-founded town to the ancient Greek god Hermes. Hence, “Hermoupolis”, which literally means “the town of Hermes” is born.
Four years earlier, the Chios Massacre, a turbulent aftermath during the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire, drove thousands of Greeks to flee Chios and various other islands as well as Asia Minor. Looking for shelter, they arrive in the island of Syros, where they find safety and a natural large harbor protected by the wind.
Hermoupolis is founded around the harbor, the strategic position of which in the center of the Aegean Sea, right on the trade routes connecting Western Europe and the Mediterranean with the East, results in the evolution of the town into a powerful shipping and international transit center.
Manufacturing grows along with the trade of fabrics, silk, leather and ironware, as well as the creation of a powerful credit bank system. The first Greek steamship company and the first Greek shipyard are founded. The rapid urbanization and economic growth turns Hermoupolis into a vibrant town and one of the centres of Modern Greek Enlightenment, since among the refugees are some of the most progressive factions of Enlightenment. An extraordinary period of social, cultural and economic boom follows. Celebrated architects are hired and they, deeply influenced by the Romantic and Classical trends, build a town in glorification of artistic and neoclassic architectural beauty. Among them, Ernst Ziller, inspired by the palace of Trojan king Priamos, designs the dashing Town Hall and Pietro Sampo builds the impressive Apollo Municipal Theatre. Ship owners and bankers choose the eastern part of the town to build their breathtaking mansions at the edge of the sea, as if they are ready to sail, giving to the district the name “Vaporia”, meaning ships.
The development of Piraeus as the first port in Greece downgrades the premier role of the island as a transit center. The local economy passes into a new phase and turns to industry. Prosperity ends during the first half of the 20th century. World War II and the bombings cripple the local socio-economic life. Nowadays, the town of Hermes is a commercial and administrative centre with vigorous urban life. The harbor connects the island on daily basis to the port of Piraeus and to most of the Aegean islands. Syros is also connected daily to and from the Athens “Eleftherios Venizelos” International Airport as well as to and from the Thessaloniki International Airport “Makedonia”, several times a week depending on the season.
Once you are on Syros, sightseeing becomes a much larger part of your vacations plan of “sun and fun, wining and dining and a little sightseeing”. There are many things to see and do, so we recommend to stroll around Hermoupolis and visit:
the Miaouli Square with the imposing Town Hall designed by Ernest Chiller, the neoclassical buildings and palm trees,
the Archaeological Museum, where early Cycladic and Byzantine finds are exposed,
the Historical Archive of the Cyclades which houses administrative and economical archives from the Prefecture of the Cyclades dating back to 1821,
the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Hermoupolis (formerly "Hellas" Club)
the Municipal Library of Hermoupolis,
the Municipal Theater "Apollon", a cultural icon of the town, built in1862 to the designs of the Italian architect Pietro Sampo
the region of Vaporia, the most aristocratic district of Hermoupolis with imposing neoclassical mansions of the 19th century rising by the sea,
the Industrial Museum of Hermoupolis,
the Orthodox church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, where the famous icon of the Assumption of Virgin Mary by Dominique Theotokopoulos (El Greco) is exposed.
Climb up the hill of Ano Syros, a Cycladic medieval settlement with small white houses and narrow labyrinthine cobbled walkways twisting all the way up to the Capuchin Monastery which dates back to 1633.
Wander around the villages of Syros to see the local architecture, 19th-centruy magnificent manors and seaside resorts. Enjoy the sun and the sea on the popular and organized sandy beaches in the southern part of the island, such as Galissas, Agathopes, Megas Gialos, Finikas, Delphini, Kini, Azolimnos, which are ideal for water sports and surrounded by restaurants, tavernas, cafes and bars.
Hire a boat from the picturesque fishing village of Kini or follow the hiking trails to more private and unspoiled beaches in northern Syros, such as Varvarousa, Aetos, Leia, Grammata, Megas Lakos, Marmari.
Travel to Syros.
Syros, as the capital of the Cyclades islands, is well-connected with Athens as well as the majority of the Aegean islands. Boats travel to Syros from Piraeus, the main port of Athens, on daily basis and the trip takes 3,5 or 4 hours, while high speed boats need about 2,5 hours. Several times a week, ferry and high-speed crafts connects Syros to the port of Lavrion. By air, Syros may be reached from the Athens International Airport and the Thessaloniki International Airport.
Information:
Port Authority of Syros, tel(+30) 22810 88888
Port Authority of Piraeus, tel (+30) 210 4226000
Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”, tel (+30) 210 3530000.
Thessaloniki International Airport “Makedonia”, tel (+30) 2310 98500
Getting around Syros:
Hotel Aktaion is conveniently situated near the public bus transportation line, taxis, car or motorcycle or bicycle rental agencies. Syros is very well-developed with a good road network and safe paths to walk. The public bus transportation of Syros is good with frequent bus schedules to and from the popular beaches and lovely villages. Small boat set off from the village of Kini to the most isolated beaches on the northwest side of the island.
Public bus, tel: +30 22810 82575.
Taxi, tel: +30 22810 84222 & +30 22810 88222