Ermoupoli

Ermoupoli, sometimes spelled Hermoupolis, is the main town of the Aegean island of Syros and the administrative capital of the municipality of Syros–Ermoupoli in the South Aegean region of Greece. It sits on the northeast coast of Syros and centers around a deep natural harbor that has long served as the island’s commercial heart.

Founded in the early 19th century as Greece established its independence, Ermoupoli grew rapidly as a maritime and trading center. Wealth from shipbuilding and commerce funded a striking Neoclassical built environment, with grand mansions along the waterfront and on the Vaporia hill above the harbor. The town is organized around public squares such as Miaouli, which forms the social and civic core, and the streets leading to the upper town.

Prominent landmarks in Ermoupoli include the Apollo Theater, one of Greece's oldest functioning theatres, a cluster of 19th-century public buildings around Miaouli Square, the Town Hall, and a group of well-preserved neoclassical mansions in the Vaporia district. The Orthodox and Catholic churches, and the small monasteries on the hillside, reflect the religious and cultural history of the town.

Today Ermoupoli serves as the administrative capital of the municipality of Syros–Ermoupoli and as the main port of the island, handling ferries to Piraeus and other Cyclades. It remains the island’s cultural and economic center, attracting visitors with its architecture, theaters, waterfront cafes, and views over the Aegean Sea.