Syros

Syros (Greek Σύρος ( f sg ), also Syra or Siros ) is a Greek island in the Cyclades, located almost in the middle of the archipelago, 84 km ² and with the Pyrgos up to 442 m high. In the 8th century BC, the island was occupied by the Phoenicians, who gave her the names of Syros, what, rocky ' means something. Capital since 1833, the city Syros ( Ερμούπολη ), which is also the administrative seat of the Prefecture of the Cyclades. Since 1997, three municipalities on the island, Syros, Posidonia and Ano Syros (, Upper Syros ' ), were merged on 1 January 2011 the municipality Syros Syros, Syros, in addition also includes the uninhabited island Gyaros.

Description

Syros has about 25,000 inhabitants and produces vegetables, olives, cereals and wine. However, most important economic factor is the shipbuilding company " Basileus shipyard ", which is dedicated to the maintenance and repair of large vessels. Tourism plays, apart from within Greece, only a minor role. In addition, Syros has as administrative capital of the southern Aegean Sea over the appropriate facilities. The fishery has, as is now almost everywhere in Greece, as a practical industry irrelevant.

In the west, south and east of the island there are some beaches ( Kini, Galissas, Finikas, Posidonia, Megas Gialos, Vari and Azolimnos ). The north of the island is largely undeveloped.

A few nautical miles northwest of the northern tip lies the uninhabited island Gyaros.

The central Cycladic island of Syros is a popular holiday destination for Greeks, not least because of the numerous buildings revitalized the classical period, but also because of the local population very controversial casinos. In the port of the island is a lively boat traffic takes place, ships run almost every half-hour rhythm of a resp. You can reach any other island of the group from here daily. After Piraeus several ships sail on the day. Other Greek islands such as Rhodes or Crete are driven two to three times a week. In the southeast, close to Syros, there is a small airport.

Until the opening of the Corinth Canal, the port of Syros is the largest and most important commercial port in Greece was.

The residents of Syros were in the past - unusual for Greece - almost exclusively Catholics of the Latin rite. From the immigration from about 1820 ( uprising against the Turks), this proportion decreased until today to about 40%, so that today's population is almost equal numbers of Orthodox and Catholics. The island attracts many to Easter pilgrimage visitors to the second largest church of Greece Tinos, which is available on Syros accommodation.

History

One finds point to a settlement of the island as early as the Neolithic, the oldest discovered settlements date back to the Bronze Age. Syros was eponymous for two successive cultures of the Cycladic civilization in phase II of frühkykladischen time around 2500 BC From the Keros -Syros culture a large cemetery with about 600 burials was found at Chalandriani, located on the north east coast of the fortress Kastri, after the Kastri or Lefkandi culture was named.

Syros Ano Syros and

The city of Syros was created in 1821 as a result of the Greek revolt against Turkish rule and the consequent flight of many Greeks of Chios and other islands. The name derives from the Greek god Hermes ( patron god of merchants and thieves ), meaning city of Hermes '. Today it is the administrative headquarters of the South Aegean region.

Syros flows seamlessly into Ano Syros, every city lying on its own hill. Ano Syros is inhabited mainly by Catholics older, viewed from the sea left half, crowned by the Bishop 's Cathedral of St. George. Among them are a 1633 founded Capuchin, and a Jesuit monastery.

In the city there is also one of the oldest archaeological museums in Greece and the Apollo Theater in 1861. Classicist Town Hall ( foundation stone was laid in 1876 and dedication in 1898, built by Ernst Ziller ) lies on the marble-paved and populated by pigeons Miaoulis Square in the heart of the city.

Syros

History:

Syros emerged only in the 1820s, during the Greek Revolution. At that time, many immigrants came to the island. Initially from Smyrni and ( Aivali ), then from Psara and especially from Chios, but also from other regions and abroad. Only by the Orthodox faith sat on the island inhabited previously mainly by Catholics through ( so that today, unlike almost all of Greece, the ratio of the denominations 50:50 ). The name comes from the city of the Greek god Hermes. Quickly, Syros became the most important city after Athens in Greece. Already in this decade lived around the 13,805 inhabitants in Syros. The city had a Chamber of Commerce, a sanatorium, a public school and one of the first post offices of Greece. By the 1830s, then the old harbor was enlarged and thus Syros became the most important port city of Greece. However, Syros was not only a commercial center but also a cultural center with a theater and a bishopric. 1854 the city's development was slowed because the cholera and other epidemics were raging on the island. However, the development went further up. Already in 1850 the first telegraph office was built in the 1860s and came to the shipyard (now Basileus ) and Mechanourgio ( utilities ) industrial enterprises in the city. Even today, the Basileus largest employer on the island.

Evidence of this supremacy of the time are the many neoclassical mansions, streets and squares, especially in the north of the city with the Vaporia area, but also the ruins of the former factories in the south of the city. Only with the opening of the Corinth Canal and the associated rise of the port of Piraeus, Greece 's main port of today, Syros lost the end of the 19th century, more and more influence and lost its importance. Today, however, it is still the headquarters of the South Aegean region, thus forming more commercial and administrative center of the region. Also, it still possesses a number of cultural objects ( theaters, museums, libraries, ect. ) And unlike most of the other islands of the Cyclades, a hospital and a university.

Worth seeing:

• Town Hall Square:

In the north- west wing of the City Hall (left hand ) is the Archaeological Museum of the Cyclades. Here are among other exhibits from the time of the Keros -Syros culture to be admired. Even archaeological finds from the island itself, for example from the grave plant at Chalandriani ( Halandriani ) in the northeast of the island. But Byzantine exhibits are on display here, as well as from other eras.

Before the Town Hall is the " Miaoulis Square ". At the center stands the statue of Andreas Miaoulis, which was set up on 23 April 1889.

Right there is (the building that now houses a Greek telecommunications operator sits ), the former Lyceum Evaggelidi. Here, once personalities like vikelas or Roidis were preparing for their study and made ​​their diplomas.

Worthwhile can also visit the open-air cinema, left hand on the Town Hall Square, Miaoulis Square, be. Because this is where most movies are shown (except for children's films ) in original language with Greek subtitles.

Also located very close to the Miaouli Square, the historical archive of the Cyclades, " Megaro Ladopoulou ", today the city library of interesting issues.

• Apollo Theater:

Only a few meters from the town hall is the Apollo Theater. In March 1862, started the construction before it was inaugurated on 20 April 1864, the performance of Giuseppe Verdi's opera Rigoletto. Architect was the Italian Pietro Sambo. The design is very reminiscent of that of the Milan opera house " La Scala ". On the ceiling there is a wreath with faces of famous Italian and Greek composers. In the stairwell also a small museum is housed.

Culturally, the theater is the center of Syros, here find theater performances (opera, operetta, musicals ), concerts and the " Syros - Festival".

• Port:

A statue of the goddess of victory Nike adorns the harbor promenade. You should remember the fallen soldiers of the First World War.

During the day, the street is Petros Protopapadakis ( parallel street between the City Hall Square and the harbor ) is a busy shopping street, while after the closure of the business life, especially in the street " Akti Ethnikis Antistasseos " happening. There are several tavernas, bars and cafes that offer with its location right on the harbor, a beautiful view.

On the east side is the former port facility. The buildings will be used for other purposes today.

• Churches:

The church " Agios Nikolaos " is dedicated to St. Nicholas of Myra. It lies in the north of the city. It was built from the year 1848. 1870 it was opened. Adorned it is of a clearly visible blue dome with gold decoration. It is one of the largest churches in the island and appears from the outside, with its entrance portal and the stair climb, as such. Internally it is rather simple to Orthodox standards, but works by the greater. Before the entrance is in a small garden, a monument to the grave without fallen warriors of the island. The church is located in the district of " Vaporia " worth seeing mainly because of its many neoclassical mansions (roads: Bambagiotou, Apollonos, and Souri ).

On the top of " Vrontado " (mountain ) is the highly visible from afar Church " Anastasis " Church of the Resurrection. Inside it has mostly neoclassical elements, and a wooden pulpit and icons, almost all from the 19th century. From here you have a very nice view of Syros and up to Ano Syro. In fine weather, the neighboring islands of Tinos and Mykonos are visible.

Another beautiful church is the church opened in 1826 " Kimisis Theotokou ". These houses namely the Dormition of the Mother of God from 1562 Dominikos Theotokopoulos, known as El Greco. This icon of the Mother of God gave the church its name. In contrast to the interior of the church, the exterior is rather simple with the bell tower. In the evening it 's good to see the port as a blue shining cross is mounted on the bell tower.

The " Metamorfossi " ( transformation ) is the main church of the island, as it is orthodox Episcopal church on the island of Syros. It was completed in 1824. This baroque church has a courtyard with a mosaic and some exceptional carvings and icons.

The only Catholic church in Syros is the " Evnagelistra " Church of the Annunciation, from the early 19th century.

• Other:

Furthermore, there is in Syros still an industrial museum (opposite the hospital where three former factory buildings ). Here are over 300 exhibits from the heyday of the industry of the island to marvel at.

In the south of the city, the Demetrius vikelas sports center. In open- water polo stadium will take place in the summer vikelas Cup with four juniors in the water polo national teams from different nations.

In Syros, there is also a cinema and a casino as well as a sports court.

Personalities

• Marko Pasha, physician to the Ottoman Sultan
• Demetrius vikelas, Greek businessman and writer
• Emmanouil Roidis, Greek writer
• Markos Vamvakaris, Greek bouzouki and Rembetikointerpret