Syros trivia: 37 uknown facts about this Greek island!

Syros is the capital of the Cyclades and one of the most historic greek islands.

So let’s dig into some trivia and facts about this greek island!

1. Syros is a Greek island in the Cyclades, in the Aegean Sea
2. It is located 78 nautical miles (144 km) south-east of Athens
3. The area of the island is 83.6 km2 (32 sq mi)
4. And it has 21,507 inhabitants (2011 census)
5. It is also known as Siros or Syra
6. The largest towns are Ermoupoli, Ano Syros, and Vari
7. Ermoupoli is the capital of the island and of the Cyclades
8. It has always been a significant port town
9. And during the 19th century it was even more significant than Piraeus
10. Other villages are Galissas, Foinikas, Pagos, Manna, Kini and Poseidonia
11. Ermoupoli stands on a naturally amphitheatrical site
12. With neo-classical buildings, old mansions, and white houses cascading down to the harbour
13. It was built during the Greek War of Independence in the 1820s
14. The city hall is in the center of the town, in Miaoulis Square, ringed with cafés, seating areas, and palm trees
15. Dubbed the “City of Hermes”, Syros has numerous churches, such as Metamorphosis, Koimisis, St. Demetrius, Three Hierarchs, Anastasis, Evangelistria, and St. Nicolas
16. There is an archaeological museum and a municipal library
17. The quarter of Vaporia is where sea captains traditionally lived
18. There are numerous neo-classical mansions along the quarter’s narrow streets
19. Ano Syros is the second town of Syros
20. It was built by the Venetians at the beginning of the 13th century on the hill of San Giorgio, north-west of Hermoupolis
21. Ano Syros maintains a medieval atmosphere
22. Innumerable steps between narrow streets and houses with coloured doors lead to the top of the town
23. The medieval settlement of Ano Syros is accessible by car
24. The town is served mostly by marble steps
25. The distance from the harbour up to the main entry point of the town is approximately 1000 metres
26. The Catholic cathedral of Saint George dominates Ano Syros
27. The cathedral church was constructed during the 13th century
28. From the cathedral visitors have a panoramic view of the neighbouring islands of Tinos, Delos, Mykonos, Paros, Andros and Naxos
29. Syros is a separate regional unit of the South Aegean region
30. The only municipality of the regional unit is Syros-Ermoupoli
31. As a part of the 2011 Kallikratis government reform, the regional unit Syros was created out of part of the former Cyclades Prefecture
32. The municipality also includes the uninhabited island Gyaros and several other islets
33. The total area of the municipality is 101.90 km2 (39 sq mi)
34. The province of Syros was one of the provinces of the Cyclades Prefecture
35. Its territory corresponded with that of the current regional units Syros and Mykonos
36. It was abolished in 2006
37. Local specialities of the island include: Kaparosalata (salad with capers), Maintanosalata (salad with parsley), Frisoura (appetizer), Delagraciano, Ladopita, Marathopita, Ntomatokeftedes (fried tomato balls), Kalamari gemisto (Stuffed grilled squid), Sfougato, San Michali cheese, Loukoumi (dessert), Chalvadopita (dessert), Pastelaria (dried figs dessert)