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Syros, One City, Two Worlds: Cyclades neoclassical capital
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Syros, One City, Two Worlds: Cyclades neoclassical capital
Syros, Cyclades, Greece
Journeys for Culture Lovers
Experience Seekers
About this experience
Highlights
- Roam among the historic charms of Ermoupolis, the Queen of the Cyclades
- Admire the secret El Greco painting in the church of The Assumption of the Virgin
- Visit two seminal island landmarks: the majestic Town Hall, a 19th-century masterpiece of Ernst Ziller and one of the biggest in all of Greece, and the Apollon Theatre, a precise miniature of the iconic Scala de Milano
- Stroll around the upscale Vaporia district, Syros' own Mayfair
- Accept a cordial invitation to a Syros mansion, that will open its doors to welcome you into a journey in the past
- Explore Ano Syros and stand in awe of the glorious view
- Follow a bespoke itinerary encompassing magnificent Catholic and Orthodox churches
- Visit the "tarsanas"; experience the daily island life of the past, where the shipbuilding tradition is still alive today
- Try local products in a modern grocery shop
- Admire the beauty of the Old Town of Syros
- Relish genuine flavors at one of the best local tavernas
- Your destination angel will enhance your experience with insights and stories on the local history, traditions, and lifestyle
Description
Syros, the majestic capital of the island group of the Cyclades, is a unique place of multiple identities. It is where you will find Cycladic simplicity, side-by-side with worldly sophistication and a historic architectural legacy built right on top of wild Aegean natural beauty. This wonderful duality is directly unveiled in that the island's main town itself is a city built on top of two hills; on top of one sits an Orthodox Church. The other is crowned with Catholic monasteries and temples of worship. Any proper journey on this enchanting, diverse island begins with a visit to the church of the Assumption of The Virgin. If the obvious, glaring beauty of the building doesn't catch your eye, may the hidden painting by El Greco will do the trick.
The picture tells its own remarkable story, but the church priest is also there to reveal to you how the painting is in the temple since 1850 and marks the miracle of surviving the bombing of the temple in 1943 during WWII. Your wanderings will then propel you into the heart of Syros, at the lively area of the local market. We will enter a modern grocery shop of home-grown products to find all the treasured ingredients of age-old recipes that have long filled the cookbooks of Syros' unrecognized culinary geniuses.
A vast assemblage of goods, such as various sorts of Greek pasta, fennel pesto, pastelaries (dried figs with almonds and sesame seeds), sun-dried tomatoes, salt, capers, crushed olives with fennel, herbs, and an additional broad range of traditional products and recipes from different parts of Greece are there to stir your soul, just as much as your senses. "I have an idea to make this delicious, particular cheese with fresh Syros milk and aromatic herbs," says the owner. Let's have a taste, then!
The next stop is the old Town Hall at the main square, where the unmistakable aura of neoclassical romance is bound to thrill you. With its distinctive, harmoniously blended elements from ancient Greece, that seem to echo across the halls, the building is one of the largest and most impressive Town Halls in all of Greece. Τhe hanging ladder at the entrance, the bust of D. Bafiadakis, the boardroom, and the portraits of former mayors are just a teaser compared to some of the even more appealing aspects of the Town Hall.
At one of the halls, you will find the carriage of Princess Sissy. Right then and there, you will listen to a mostly forgotten story, an actual fairytale from the past, complete with kings, princesses and carriages. Just a few meters away from the Town Hall stands the emblematic neoclassical building of the Αpollon theatre. It is the island's Culture Center and one of Syros' most striking landmarks.
Our next stop the amazing mansion of Syros, Velissaropoulos Mansion which stands in the heart of Ermoupolis Built in 1870-73, during the commercial boom of Syros, by the greek eminent architect Ioannis Vlysidis, is a mirror of the turbulent history of the island. A typical neoclassical style private house with magnificent wall and ceiling paintings made by Italian painters
Walking up the narrow paths of Ermoupolis, we will head to Vaporia, a stunning city district, where captains' mansions stretch along the streets and fabulous home-boats seem to hover above the rocks. This is the Mayfair of Syros, an upscale neighborhood with sweeping views of the Aegean Sea. The dome of Agios Nikolaos Church stands out below. Stepping inside, you will encounter a splendid interior, that exhibits the wealth of its patrons: a marble icon screen and pulpit, and chandeliers transported all the way from Trieste. With a bit of luck, you just might get to hear the church choir, a highly praised ensemble of sublime voices that have been captivating the ears of churchgoers since the 1920s.
On the way, we will make a stop at Tarsanas, a shipyard with very close ties to the island's maritime tradition. Feeling like you almost stepped back in time, you will see how Tarsanas is the only place in Greece, where the long shipbuilding cultural heritage remains alive and intact.
Leaving behind the neoclassic capital, we will make our way to the old castle-town of Ano Syros, the city of the two hills, with a church on each one. They are the two things that make it unique: the Renaissance Cathedral of St. George on its summit.
On the one hill visible from Syros' port, we will visit the Orthodox Church of Resurrection. Across from the hill, a city of countless steps that line the white-housed streets awaits us. We will enjoy yet another view of Ermoupoli while standing on the cliff.
Our One Day Experience will reach a perfectly exquisite ending with a delicious authentic Greek meal at a local taverna. The traditional taverna has been voted in 2001 (survey of the French Tourist Agency "Nouvelles Frontieres") as the first tavern in quality, service and taste.
Experience Details
What is included
Your English speaking destination angel
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Transportation by air conditioned vehicle
Entrance Fees
Drinks (wine, beer and bottled water)
Lunch
Museum entrance fees
Private performance at Apollon Theatre
What is not included
Gratuities
Personal expenses
Things you need to know
General terms and conditions
General terms and conditions
Before proceeding with the final booking, customer has to agree on applicable terms and conditions
Payment terms
Payment terms
For payment terms click here
Deadline for reservations
Τhe latest deadline for submitting your booking request is 5 days before the desired date
Restrictions that might influence the operation
Αs per terms and conditions (extraordinary cancelations).
This experience is subject to weather conditions, (rain- strong winds).
Prepare for the experience
Know before you go
- If you are visiting Cycladic islands in the summertime, please note that it can get hot, especially between the end of June and the end of August. It is also common to have meltemi, strong north winds during the daytime
- It is important to know in advance if the quests have any food allergies/ dietary requirements
- Good physical condition & sturdy and comfortable shoes are required
- Guests must be without heart, lungs or breathing health problems
Starting time
09:00 am
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sun protection cream, hat and loose fitted clothing
NOT suitable
- Wheelchair users / People with mobility impairments
- Pregnant Women
Meeting point
Your hotel, villa or yacht