Cruise from Syros

The small Siro is located in the central part of the Cyclades islands, in the waters of the Aegean Sea. It is characterized by the variety of its landscapes and Venetian architecture, the northern part is mountainous, while the interior alternates between low hills and cultivated fields. The coast is 87 km long and winds between headlands and large beaches, such as that of Ermopoli to the east and Finikas to the west. The architecture of Siro, although sharing the Cycladic characteristics, derives from the Venetian domination of the island and the rest of the Cyclades. During the Venetian occupation, the majority of the population converted to Catholicism, so Siro preserved, at the time, a significant percentage of Catholics compared to the rest of Greece, mostly Orthodox. During the Greek War of Independence in 1821, the island of Syro remained neutral under French protection, welcoming a large number of Greek refugees from all over the world to escape the horrors of the war. That mass of refugees managed to make the economy and culture of the island's capital flourish, becoming the commercial and cultural center of Greece. Today Ermopoli, queen of the Cyclades, is the capital and main port of Siro. The port rises on a natural amphitheater and is characterized by its neoclassical buildings and white houses. Among the most important buildings are: the imposing town hall (built in 1889 by Ernst Ziller) and the Apollo Municipal Theatre (in 1864), considered a miniature copy of the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. The island has 17 villages, all to be discovered. Also called the Manchester of Greece, the city has some important religious monuments such as the churches of Metamorfosis tou Sotiros, Agios Nikolaos, Ploussio and Kimisis tis Theotokou. Do not miss the Catholic community with the cathedral of San Jorge and the Vaporia district which highlights the large churches and neoclassical buildings. The Archaeological Museum and its Library has a remarkable collection of artifacts, containing numerous interesting and truly rare editions.