Walk around Ermoupolis, the island’s capital, a representative sample of 19th century neoclassical architecture. The heart of the city beats in the marble-paved Miaouli Square with the monumentalTown Halldesigned by German architect Ziller. A bit further up is the majestic Apollon Theater, the first Greek opera house (1864) builtin the same model of the Italian opera houses. The famous Vaporia, the old ship-owners’ quarter with the neoclassical mansions, the palm trees and the magnificent terracesthat once hosted elegant evening parties and receptions.St. Nicholas Cathedral, built in1850, stands out to this day with its impressive sky-blue dome rising above the sea.Don’t miss the chance to visit Syros’Industrial Museum to embark on an experiential journey through the industrial heritage of Greece’s very own “Manchester”
Just a few 870 steps above Ermoupolis is the medieval castle town of Ano Syra (13thcentury); A gem of Cycladic architecture that combines galleries, covered passages, white-washed houses with colourful gates and small craft shops; a balcony with unprecedented panoramic view of Ermoupolis, the port and Neorio, the island’s historic shipyard. At the top of the settlement stands the church of Saint George, the emblematic Catholic metropolis. A two-storey traditional house is the home of the small Markos Vamvakaris Museum that honours the memory of the “Patriarch of Rebetiko”through a touching exhibition of personal items, photographsand rare manuscripts.
Leaving Ermoupoli and Ano Syros behind, all roads lead to the aristocratic resort of Delagrazia(Posidonia) with 19-century neoclassical summer mansions with turrets and well-tended gardens. On your way there, pass by the evergreen Episkopio to admire the legendary “haunted” Red House, that inspired Karagatsis to write his novel “The Great Chimera”.
Those who love offroad adventures must follow the trail up to the pre-historic acropolis of Chalandriani (3rd millennium BC) through a breath-taking mountain route with infinite view of the Aegean.