Neo-classical Syros ~ McC Ab Test

We have berthed in the town of Ermoupolis, on the island of Syros. Ermoupolis is the capital city of the south Agean islands, and has been a very important port over the centuries. It's position on the major sea routes between east and west gave it wealth and power, and during the centuries of Ottoman (Turkish) rule it was allowed to continue its special status as a major commercial port. Its name translates as "City of Hermes", and Hermes was the god of commerce.

In the 1800's Ermoupolis became the centre of development of the new "neo classical" architectural style, which is now familiar all over the world from landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, or the White House in Washington. Many architects came to Syros during that time to learn and to contribute to the building of the neo classical buildings which today make Ermoupolis look much more modern than the other towns we have visited across the Cyclades.

Marble is everywhere here: in addition to the buildings, the streets are almost all paved with marble, the footpaths are marble, and even the breakwater in the harbour has big chunks of marble in it. Joseph told us that asphalt only started being used here in the 1970's!

Neo-classical Ermoupolis, capital of the south Agean.

The town hall.

My happy lunch omelette.

The streets are paved with marble!

A view down to the harbour.

Some buildings look more in need of attention than others...

Some pretty shade. It was very hot out in the sun (as usual).

Interesting mortar treatment.

Even this marble lion was finding it too hot!

Wall posters.

Even the harbour wall has great chunks of marble thrown in.

No beach here, but the water is nice and clear if you want a swim.

Syros had quite a different feel to the other islands, probably because of the number of fine buildings, and its past as a major port and commercial centre. There is even a large ship-building facility on the other side of the harbour, which was once a major business but nowadays does not get much work.

On the way here we stopped for another swim off the boat, in a quiet bay called Kalona Beach, on the island of Kithnos. There a narrow sand bar joins a small island to the main one, but is only exposed during unusually low tides.

Sue dries off up top after our swim at Kalona Beach.

Another of our company's cruise boats, the "Pan Orama II".

The Galileo is operated by a Greek company called Variety Cruises. Early this morning we stopped after leaving Kyros, so I got out of bed and went up on deck to see what was going on. Another of their boats (above) was nearby and some sort of equipment exchange was going on. I think a broken tender was being swapped for a good one, so nothing serious apparently. It did mean I got to watch the sunrise, a big red orb rising out of the sea. It was no problem looking directly at it, which is not something I would attempt back home.