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Syros History

The mysterious Phoenicians were probably the first inhabitants who possibly made off with Homer's swineherd Eumaeus. They settled at Dellagracia and Finikas. Poseidon was the chief god of Syros. A heiotrope was constructed on Syros in his honor in the 6th Century BC.

The population shifted to Ermoupolis in Roman times . After the collapse of the pax Romana, Syros sat abandoned until the 13th Century.

The Venetians arrived then and founded Ano Syros. Because Ano Syros was Catholic, the island enjoyed the protection of the French and was neutral during the Greek War of Independence.

After the war, refugees arrived with their Orthodox faith and began the settlement on Vrondado.

The harbor has boomed with trade since then , refueling and shipbuilding. The new town that grew from the two settlements on the hills was named for Hermes: Ermoupolis. The god of commerce has indeed blessed Syros with great fortune.

The Archeology Museum (8:30-3, closed Mon, fee) is in the left of the Ermoupolis main square and contains finds from Syros and other islands dating from Pre-Cycladic through the Roman era. The nearby Velissaropoulos Mansion has elaborate ceiling and wall decor characteristic of old Ermoupolis and is open to the public during business hours.