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Ermoupolis, the "Queen
of the Cyclades," is the capital of the island of Syros, the center of the
Aegean Sea and a city of unique history and architecture. The city stands on a
naturally amphitheatrical site over one of the biggest and safest ports of
Aegean, with neoclassical buildings, old mansions, marble and stone-paved
streets, squares, churches, mausoleums, and white-washed houses on the
surrounding hills, cascading down to the harbor. A monumental Town Square and
the historic Apollo Theater are the main features at the center of town, with
numerous other important buildings surrounding them. The City Hall, where
Miaoulis Square lies ringed with cafes and with seating areas under palm trees,
has a grandeur all of its own. The "City of Hermes" has numerous
magnificent churches, the most interesting of which are Metamorphosis, Koimisis,
St. Demetrius, Three Hierarchs, Anastasis, Evangelistria and 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 special interest. Along
its narrow streets stand numerous neo-classical mansions.
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Ermoupolis enjoys a unique history as well. The city was built from scratch from
1821 to 1825 when thousands of refugees fled the eastern islands of the Aegean
and Asia Minor, as a result of the Greek War of Independence. Very soon the city
was the most important of the new free state, with a thriving commercial,
industrial and shipping sector and a population of over 25,000 people, by far
the biggest city of Greece of the time. The name of the city was decided in a
early referendum to honor Ermis (Hermes), ancient Greek god of commerce.
By the end of 19th century the importance of Athens and Piraeus started to rise
and accordingly, the importance of Ermoupolis to decline. Some decades of
population decline and excessive poverty passed before Ermoupolis enjoyed a new
rise, especially since 1980. Today Ermoupolis is again a city of cultural and
touristic importance, steadily gaining the favor of visitors wishing to enjoy
the unique architectural landscape and the numerous important cultural events
taking place all year round, but especially during summer.
Ano Syros
Ano Syros is the
second town of the Island and was built by the Venetians at the beginning of the
13th century on the hill of San Giorgio, north-west of Ermoupolis. Ano Syros
maintains its enchanting medieval atmosphere. Innumerable steps between narrow
streets and houses with coloured doors lead you to the top of the town, which
makes for some adventurous exploration.
The medieval settlement of Ano Syros is not accessible by car, the town is
serviced mostly by marble steps. The distance from the harbour up to the main
entry point of the town is approximately 3500 metres. The Catholic basilica of
San Giorgio dominates Ano Syros. The church was constructed during the 13th
century. From here the visitor enjoys a panoramic view of the neighbouring
islands of Tinos, Delos, Mykonos, Paros and Naxos.
History: Ancient Times
During Roman times the
capital of Syros was situated in the area of contemporary Ermoupolis. At the end
of ancient times, the barbaric raids and the plague of piracy, which had
scourged the Aegean for many centuries, led Syros to decline. In the Byzantine
years Syros constituted together with the rest of the Cycladic islands, part of
the Aegean Dominion. After the overthrow of the Byzantium by the Venetian/Francs
in 1204, Syros came under Venetian domination and was included in the Ducat of
the Aegean.
Ottoman Times
In the mid-16th century,
the Ottoman fleet occupied the island and the Duchy fell apart. However,
negotiations of the local authorities with the Ottomans gave the Cycladic
islands substantial privileges, such as the reduction of taxation and religious
freedom.
After the second half of the 17th century, a period of economic recovery of the
Aegean began, climaxing during the transition from the 18th to the 19th century.
Due to its crucial geographical position, Syros became known as a maritime
way-point.
In 1822-1865 Ermoupolis was rebuilt in a neoclassical style, merging Greek
Classicism with elements of the Renaissance. Many landmarks such as the City
Hall (designed by the famous German architect Ernst Ziller), the Apollo Theater
by the Italian architect Campo (a miniature version of La Scala di Milano), the
main Library, the General Hospital of Syros (Vardakeio-Proio), Miaoulis square
and more are from that era.
Because of the Venetian domination from the Middle Ages onwards, the islanders
were once exclusively Roman Catholic. However, due to immigration from other
islands, Catholics now constitute some 40% of the population. The great majority
of the population are Greek Orthodox. They live side by side very peacefully.
Intermarriage between denominations is very common in Syros.
Greek Fight for
Independence
Syros took no part in the
Greek revolt of 1821, but was inundated with refugees from other parts of
Greece. With the return to peace and tranquility, Syros became known as a
cross-roads in the Aegean and as an international commercial center linking
Western Europe and the Mediterranean Sea to the East. In 1822 began the
construction of the first buildings and in 1824 the first Orthodox Church
Metamorphosis and the largest Greek Sanatorium was constructed.
Excerpted and adapted from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syros
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