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Syros, or Siros or Syra is a Greek island in the Cyclades, in the Aegean Sea. It is located 78 nautical miles (144 km) south-east of Athens. The island is comprised of the municipalities of Ermoupoli, Ano Syros, and Poseidonia. Ermoupoli is the capital of the island and of the Cyclades. It has always been a significant port town, and during the 19th century it was even more significant than Pireus. Syros is famous for its wonderful architecture, which is particularly astonishing in the capital, Ermoupolis, and in the town of Ano Syros. The characteristic of the medieval architecture can be admired in Ano Syros, combined with the typical Cycladic architecture and some Venetian influence in a wonderful scenery of narrow streets, whitewashed steps, wooden flowered balconies, wooden doors and small courtyards full of flower pots.
Houses are built very closely, the one on the top of the other, surrounded by rocky slopes which were a protective fortress of great efficacy against the pirates and all the other enemies who threatened the island during 1200 AD, when the settlement of Ano Syros was built. The neoclassical architecture mixed with Venetian characteristic can be admired at its best in the beautiful town of Ermoupolis, capital of the island. Wonderful neoclassical buildings and old traditional mansions are built very close one to another, separated by beautiful marble squares, magnificent churches and narrow streets forming an astonishing image of great beauty and fine artistic skills.
This superb architecture is a reminder of the island’s great power and prosperity. But Syros is not only architecture. The island has a great night life and beautiful beaches second to none of the others islands of the Cyclades archipelago: A perfect destination for you sailing vacancy among the Greek islands
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