Travel Guide Ermoupolis

Welcome to Syros! Built amphitheatrically on two hills, this port, dominated by the blue dome of the Anastasis church, is reminiscent of a 19th-century European city, with its handsome houses and large, cobbled Miaouli square framed by palm trees. Its 20th-century commercial and artistic development is evident throughout the town, which is unlike any other in the archipelago. Ermoupolis is also unique in that it is both the capital of Syros and of the Cyclades as a whole. Just look at the grandeur and majesty of the town hall and you'll understand where you are, before continuing your stroll. Everywhere else, Syros proudly displays its neoclassical buildings, its old mansions and its medieval town of Ano Syros, which time has not altered. It was largely influenced by the massive influx of refugees, particularly from Chios, following the massacres carried out by the Ottomans in the 1820s. It was also strongly influenced by the Greek revolutionaries. Ermoupolis takes its name from the god of commerce, Hermes. Economic prosperity led to significant social and cultural development, resulting in the emergence of a Greek bourgeoisie. This glorious past is still visible in its magnificent architecture: ancient villas, marble streets, imposing churches, statues and superb, well-preserved neoclassical buildings, hence its nickname of "Little Milan" or "Duchess of the Aegean".