SYROS

The name Syros comes from the word “Soyr” or “Osoyra” which meant rocky in ancient Phoenician. Homer mentions Syros in the Odyssey as “Syrih”.

The archaeological findings that came to light at the end of the previous century in Chalandriani, in the Northeast side of the island, date back to 2.800 B.C., the Early Cycladic II period. The findings mostly consist of tombs, figurines, pottery and other artifacts that are now held at the Goulandri Museum of Cycladic Art and the Archaeological Museum of Syros.

During the middle of the 6th century B.C., philosopher, physicist and astronomer Pherecydes was born in Syros. At that time, there were two cities in Syros. One was where today’s Ermoupolis stands, particularly in the Peukakia-Psariana area, and the other in Galissas, at the Southwest side of the island.

In the 5th and 4th centuries B.C., Syros was a member of the Athenian Alliance. After a period of turbulence in the 3rd century B.C., the island flourishes again in the 2nd century B.C. In the following century Syros evolves into a significant marine hub. In the centuries that follow, the island becomes a regular pirate target and the population decreases significantly.

The construction of the Ano Syros settlement began during the early Byzantine years. In 1207 the settlement was occupied by the Venetians and during the Latinocracy, the locals embraced the Catholic doctrine. In 1566 Syros was occupied by the Ottomans, however throughout the period of the Ottoman rule it was under the protection of the Pope and the king of France. In 1617 the Ottoman navy destroyed the island. For reference, during the 16th-18th centuries the population of the island consisted of 2.500 Catholic and 150-200 Orthodox people.

The formation of Ermoupolis begins in 1822. It is set in motion by refugees coming to the island from Asia Minor, Chios, Kasos, Psara and Crete. Ermoupolis (“the city of Hermes”) is officially named in 1826 after a suggestion of its first inhabitants, in honour of the trade God Hermes and the trade-activities of the inhabitants.

Ermoupolis quickly becomes a huge trading hub and the greatest port of the Eastern Mediterranean. In 1823 the first hospital of Greece is opens in Ermoupolis, and in 1833 Ermoupolis becomes the capital of the Cycladic islands. Also in 1833, Neofytos Vamvas, a professor and clerical refugee from Chios, establishes the first Gymnasium of Greece, and thus of Syros as well. This Gymnasium would become the school that Eleftherios Venizelos would attend and graduate. Neorion, the first shipyard of Modern Greece, is established in 1861, as well as other smaller shipyards which occupied 2.000 residents.

In Ermoupolis’ Neorion, approximately 80 ships are built each year, and it is in Neorion that in 1854, the first steamboat of Greece was built and launched. At the same time, and especially after 1855, there was great development in the banking and insurance market, the industrial field, leather tanning, soap making, blacksmithing, flour mills, textiles etc. The city continues to flourish until the end of the 19th century, with the population exceeding 30.000.

The aftermath of World War II weighs heavy on Syros and the financial decay is evident in the decades after the war. However, already from the 1980’s, there was an overall improvement in the economy and quality of life in Greece, which also affected the economy of Syros, mostly through tourism. At the same time, the reopening of the shipyards and other simultaneous proceedings became proof of Syros’ improving state and became testament of the need to change the economy and seek equilibrium.

Galissas

Historians and Archaeologists highlight that the greatest settlements of the island were: Chalandra, Galissas, Poseidonia, Foinikas, and the original Ermoupolis. Both Greek and international archaeologists confirm that in the 6th century, on the hill of Galissas existed a Municipality with independent local institutions, i.e. a fortified state, autonomous functions, a King, a Senior Council, a hospital and a mint (a coin factory).

The municipality of Galissas was independently incorporated in the Athenian Alliance and was taxed. There is only one King from Syros that became well-known. It was Ctesius, who resided in a “glamorous palace” according to Homer. Homer, who lived during the 9th century, wrote in Rhapsody XV that Ctesius had a son called Eumaeus. Prince Eumaeus was, after a lot of adventures and hardships, sold by the Phoenicians to Laertes, King of Ithaca and father of Odysseus, who made him a swineherd.

Eumaeus narrated his origins to Odysseus as such: “It is an island, it is called Syrih. It has abundant fruit, abundant pasture and many sheep, it produces much wine and much wheat. Hunger is unknown to the people. The inhabitants are healthy and long-lived, and when they arrive in old age, they die painlessly. There are two cities, and they have everything divided, and yet both knew a King Ctesius Ormenides, who is like the immortal gods. That was my father.” (Odyssey, Rhapsody XV)

During the 6th century B.C., the ruler of the town was Prieneus Syrios Galissios. Prieneus, therefore, was from Galisso or Galissia, which was at the time a Municipality of Syros. The cities of Syros were preserved during the Classical and Hellenistic periods (450-162 B.C.)

Up until the 2nd century B.C., having faced glory for the most part, athe town of Galissas lso faced some hard strikes of fate. Pirates, thieves, conquerors and epidemics slowly deserted the place, destroyed it and eventually sunk it into darkness. Nowadays there is nothing but remnants of the glorious culture of Galissos’ town. As the poet said, “And it drove into oblivion, into the rich darkness, the capital of Ormenis, of Prieneus, from Galisso”.

In excavations that took place in Mnemouria, Galissas, by various archaeologists  according to historian Tim. Ampela, there were findings of many ancient artifacts which were sent to the National Museum in Athens. They belong to the 4th, 3rd and 2nd millenniums B.C.

Around 1870, when the danger of pirates had stopped, landlords and herdsmen established themselves in their villages as permanent residents and that is how Galissas was properly established. Galissas became an official municipality in 1914. During the 1896 census, the population of Galissas was 216.