the capital, offers the main
sightseeing on Syros and was founded during the war of Independence by refugees mainly from Psara and Chios
and other islands to become Greece's main port in the 19th century.
The town is divided in to three quarters. The waterfront
and two hills each crowned with a church, the Roman Catholic and the Orthodox.
The Orthodox (Vrotando) quarter is topped with the beautiful beautiful church
of Anastasi and the views over Tinos and Mykonos are wonderful.
The Catholic (Ano Syros) quarter with the medieval Venetian town and the nice maze
of narrow lanes and archways is dominated by the Cathedral of St George.
The Capuchin Covent of St Jean is of special interest and was founded in 1653 by France's Louis XIII.
Ermoupolis' central square, Plateia Mialoulis, with the town hall is impressive.
Just behind the square stands the beautiful Apollon Theatre which is a miniature of La Scala Milan.
There is an Archaeological Museum with finds from Syros
and the Municipal Library with interesting and rare editions.
Vaporia, Ermoupolis' district with painted ceilings and frescoes neo-classical mansions,
is where the sea-captains used to live.
There are some excellent churches such as the church of Kimisis with an outstanding
bell tower and icons painted by Domenicos Theotocopoulos (El Greco), the church of Agios Demetrios,
and the church of Tris Hierarches and Metamorphosis - the Orthodox Cathedral.
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Dellagrazia (Possidonia) -12 km from Ermoupolis
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was named so after the Catholic church Santa Maria Della Grazia.
It is full of gardens and pine trees and preserves the nobility that the first genuine Greek middle class of Hermoupolis
created in the 19th century.
It is a wonderful spot with tree lined streets
and mansions which once owned by wealthy shipowners. Fetouris, Agathopes, Komito are some of the most cosmopolitan beaches.
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Finikas (12 km from Ermoupolis)
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is a lovely holiday resort with lined trees.
There are hotels, rooms, taverns and bars for your entertainment.
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Galissas (8 km from Ermoupolis)
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is a lively resort
with a beautiful sheltered beach. There are taverns, rooms to rent and hotels including a
large complex (A category) with air conditioned rooms. restaurants, bar, piano bar,
swimming pool, children's pool, disco, tennis and many more. There are remains from a Venetian castle
while the in-cave chapel of Agios Stephanos is worth a visit.
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Kini (9 km from Ermoupolis)
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is a picturesque fishing harbour with beautiful beaches.
There are taverns, hotels and rooms to stay.
Not far away from Kini is the Monastery of Agia Varvara
which also has a school of arts and crafts.
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Megas Yialos (9 km from Ermoupolis)
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is a beautiful resort bellow a hillside. It has a long narrow beach lined with trees.
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Vari
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is located in the south east part of the island and there is a characteristic tower which creates a medieval atmosphere.
Next to it, Fabrika, Azolimnos and Santorinioi are spread with picturesque cafes, taverns and hotels.
Fokiotrypes (seal's holes) which face Aspronisi islet, are a shelter for seals and seagulls.
The plain, spread with stubble modern cultivations, draw-wells, farm houses and cisterns
discloses agricultural life.
Achladi with its bay and Agios Georgios is a tourist resort. Megas Yialos spreads along the south coast of the island.
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Getting There
