Syros: Discover Culture, Architecture and History
Accommodation in Syros
Syros offers a range of cultural and historical themes, from theater and museums to churches, architecture and prehistoric sites. Ermoupoli is the capital of Syros and the Cyclades. The island’s places and collections offer specific points of interest, whether you are interested in the performing arts, architectural history or archaeology.
Theater, Museums and Architecture
The Apollon Theater hosts theatrical performances, artistic events and international festivals, including opera, music and dance festivals. Local and international artists take part in the festivals. The theater was built between 1862 and 1864 to designs by Italian city architect Pietro Sambo. Here, its present-day cultural role sits alongside a specific architectural history. Dates for individual events vary; if a particular performance or festival is important to your trip, check the relevant dates before planning.
The theater also houses a small exhibition that recalls its history. On display are works by local and other artists, historical posters and programs, manuscripts, theater publications, photographs and objects of significance to theater history. The exhibits range from artistic works to materials that document the history of theater.
Ermoupoli’s architecture also offers several distinct points of interest. The city’s Industrial Museum is housed in four different historic buildings. The Ottoman bathhouse in the Lalakia riverbed is a unique example of this building type on Syros and is of notable architectural significance. The Assumption of the Virgin icon by Domenikos Theotokopoulos, known as El Greco, is displayed in the church of the same name in Ermoupoli. Painted in egg tempera on wood, it is considered particularly important for understanding the painter’s artistic development.
The Archaeological History of Syros
The Archaeological Museum of Syros was founded in 1834–1835 as the central museum of the Cyclades. It displays finds from Kastri and Chalandriani, as well as sculptures, inscriptions and tombstones from the ancient city of Syros.
Kastri and Chalandriani are located on the northeast coast of Apano Meria on Syros and are among the most important prehistoric sites in the Aegean. The fortified settlement of Kastri dates approximately to 2300–2200 BC. Its described fortifications include a low outer wall, a main wall with horseshoe-shaped towers and an arched wall on the hill.
Ano Syros and Piskopio
Ano Syros is a traditional and medieval settlement under special state protection. At its summit is the church complex of Agios Georgios, built between 1832 and 1834 by Hadjisimos Nikolaos from Tinos. It is a three-aisled basilica with a porch of five arches.
In Piskopio, the church of Panagia Episkopiani is an important monument on Syros. Together with Agios Georgios and the buildings in Ermoupoli, it shows the diversity of the island’s notable heritage: this includes church architecture, a protected traditional and medieval settlement, theater history and archaeological collections. If you want to give your trip a cultural focus, you can use these different themes to help guide your choice of hotel on Syros.
Discover more destinations: PosidhonĂa, Galissás, Finikas, AzĂłlimnos, ErmoĂşpolis, Vari, Kini, Parakopi, Chrousa.
Back to the main travel overview: South Aegean.
