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About the Greek Island of Syros
ALTERNATIVE NAMES: Syros, Siros
ISLAND GROUP: Cyclades
POPULATION: 19,000 with approx two thirds living in Ermoupolis.
GEOGRAPHY: 87sq km, widest point 10km, longest point 18km, dry, bare landscape, rocky coves.
GENERAL IMPRESSIONS: Grand churches & mansions, shuttered houses with balconies, large shipyard (dominating the main town and major employer on the island apart from tourism), saline water in short supply. Strong Catholic influence.
SPECIALITIES: Loukoumes (Turkish Delight), nougat.
ADMIN: Syros is the legal & administrative centre of the Cyclades.
TELEPHONE PREFIX: 22810
MAIN TOWNS: Ermoupolis is the main town and port. Attractive looking even though the surrounding mountains have little appeal. The mountain to the left is topped by a Catholic cathedral and the one to the right is dominated by a blue domed Orthodox church. The following towns have the number of km from Ermoupolis shown in ( ) after each. Aold Vari (10), Dellagrazia (12), Angathopes (14) Finikas (12), Fallisas (9), Kini (9).
PLACES OF INTEREST: Church of Ag Nicolaos, old city of Ano Syros founded in 1300's, Church of Anastasis, British Cemetery, Museum, Plateia Miaoulis, Town Hall, Apollon Theatre.
FESTIVALS: 25th Sept - Virgin Mary, Faneromenis Monastery (Catholic & Orthodox procession); 26th Oct - St Dimitrios Church; End Oct/Early Nov - Apanosyria Festival, Ano Syros; 27th Dec - St Stephen, Galliasas.