Ermoupoli is named after the god Hermes, the messenger and protector of trade and merchants. The city is the largest on Syros and in the Cyclades as a whole, and it is where the ferries dock. For many years after the liberation in 1829, Ermoupoli was the largest commercial port in Greece until Piraeus took over the leading role. The city once had a significant shipbuilding industry and a large textile industry, which earned it the nickname "Greek Manchester."
As you approach Ermoupoli by ferry, you’ll notice the city climbing up two distinctive hills. The hill to the left is the Catholic district of Ano Syros. The one to the right is the Orthodox Vrontádo. They may appear to be the same height, but in reality, Ano Syros is the highest peak, and it is also set back a little farther. Below these two hills, the city sprawls out. The central part is located directly above the harbor. Here, you will find several neoclassical mansions and many monumental buildings. The most famous is the Dimarchio (town hall), overlooking Miaouli Square, paved with gleaming marble. The town hall building was designed by the renowned German architect Ernst Ziller. Nearby, and slightly higher up, you’ll find the Apollon Theater, which is a replica of La Scala in Milan, albeit on a smaller scale, designed by the Italian architect Pietro Sampo. The opera house premiered in 1864 with "La Favorite" by the Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti.
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