Ermoupoli history

Foundation and First Mentions

Unlike many ancient cities of Greece, Ermoupoli has a relatively young history. It was founded in the 1820s, during the Greek War of Independence. The first settlers were refugees from the islands of Chios, Psara, and Crete, who sought a safe haven on the island of Syros.

The city received its official name in 1826 in honour of Hermes — the ancient god of commerce. This name was not chosen by chance; it symbolised the residents' hopes for the economic prosperity of the new settlement.

Key Factors of Development

The rapid transformation from a refugee tent camp into a flourishing city was driven by several factors:

• Geographic location: Situated in the centre of the Cyclades archipelago, Ermoupoli possessed a deep and protected natural harbour, ideal for the docking of large vessels.
• Trade hub: The city quickly became the main transit port of the Eastern Mediterranean, connecting Western Europe with the East.
• Neutrality: The island of Syros was under the protection of Western powers, ensuring the relative safety and stability necessary for conducting business during turbulent times.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

By the mid-19th century, Ermoupoli had become the industrial and commercial heart of reborn Greece, surpassing even Athens and Piraeus in importance. Shipbuilding, the textile industry, and leather tanning flourished here.

Economic success was reflected in the architectural appearance: wealthy merchants and shipowners built luxurious neoclassical mansions, public buildings, and temples. The city acquired a European polish, becoming a centre of culture with the country's first opera house, which sharply distinguished it from traditional Cycladic settlements.

Formation and Flourishing

• 1822: Mass arrival of refugees from the islands of Chios, Psara, and Crete to Syros, marking the beginning of the spontaneous settlement near the port.
• 1826: At a general assembly of residents, the city receives the official name Ermoupoli in honour of the ancient god of trade, Hermes.
• 1833: Opening of the first gymnasium (high school) in modern Greece; the famous politician Eleftherios Venizelos would later become one of its graduates.
• 1854: Construction begins on the majestic Church of Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors and one of the city's symbols.
• 1861: Official founding of the "Neorion" shipyard, which became the engine of the island's industrialisation.

Golden Age of Culture and Architecture

• 1864: Grand opening of the "Apollo" Theatre, the architectural design of which was inspired by the Italian opera houses La Scala and San Carlo.
• 1876: Under the guidance of architect Ernst Ziller, the construction of the monumental City Hall begins on the main square.
• 1889: Completion of the City Hall, cementing the city's status as the architectural jewel of the Cyclades.

Changing Eras and Modernity

• 1893: The opening of the Corinth Canal changes maritime routes, leading to the gradual loss of status as the country's main port in favour of Piraeus.
• 20th Century: Ermoupoli transitions from bustling trade activity to the role of the administrative centre of the South Aegean islands.
• 1980s: Beginning of large-scale restoration of neoclassical mansions and a revival of tourist interest in the city's historical heritage.
• 2000: Opening of faculties of the University of the Aegean, transforming the city into an important student and educational hub of the region.

Development Milestones and Their Significance

The history of Ermoupoli is an example of a rapid rise, economic adaptation, and cultural revival. Below are the key stages that formed the unique appearance of the capital of the Cyclades:

• Consolidation of the merchant elite (1820s). The arrival of wealthy and educated refugees from Chios and Psara brought not only capital to the island but also established trade connections with Europe. This laid the foundation for transforming a spontaneous settlement into an organised bourgeois city.
• Rise as Greece's main port (mid-19th century). Thanks to its advantageous location and neutrality, the port of Ermoupoli became the main hub for transit trade between the West and the East. This ensured the city's economic primacy over Athens and Piraeus in the first decades of the country's independence.
• Industrial revolution and shipbuilding. The opening of the "Neorion" shipyard and the transition from sailing fleets to steam turned the city into an industrial centre. Ships were repaired and built here, providing thousands of jobs and an influx of technical specialists.
• Flourishing of tanning and textile production. Alongside the port, light industry developed. Local tanneries and textile factories exported products to the Balkans and Turkey, forming a powerful class of industrialists.
• Architectural Europeanisation (1840–1880s). Urban planning reform turned Ermoupoli into an "open-air museum". Paving streets with marble and building neoclassical mansions instead of traditional Cycladic houses visually cemented the city's status as a European outpost in the Aegean Sea.
• Cultural boom and enlightenment. The concentration of wealth led to a flourishing of the arts: the opening of a theatre, the appearance of printing presses, and the publication of numerous newspapers made the city the intellectual capital of the region, contributing to the growth of literacy and political activity among the population.
• Loss of trade monopoly (late 19th century). The opening of the Corinth Canal and the development of the port of Piraeus deprived Ermoupoli of its status as the main maritime hub. This led to a gradual economic decline, but paradoxically helped to "preserve" the historical appearance of the city, saving it from chaotic 20th-century development.
• Modern revitalisation through education and tourism. The creation of a division of the University of the Aegean and the large-scale restoration of buildings breathed new life into the city. Now Ermoupoli is developing as a centre of cultural tourism and student life, while maintaining its aristocratic atmosphere.

Unique Architectural Code

Unlike the majority of Cycladic settlements with their characteristic white cubic houses, Ermoupoli represents a majestic example of 19th-century European urban planning. The city was built as a "New Europe" on the shores of the Aegean Sea, so its appearance is formed not by folk architecture, but by strict academicism and romanticism.

The Neoclassical Era (19th Century)

The primary style that defined the face of the city was Neoclassicism. This period coincided with the economic boom following the Greek Revolution, when wealthy shipowners and merchants sought to demonstrate their status through architecture.

• Style: Greek Neoclassicism with elements of Romanticism and Italian influence.
• Characteristic features: Symmetry of façades, marble porticoes, columns, pediments, high ceilings, and painted interiors.
• Influence: Prominent European architects, including the famous Ernst Ziller, contributed to the creation of the city, giving Ermoupoli a cosmopolitan polish.

Iconic Districts and Buildings

The architectural landscape of the city is diverse and divided into several key zones, each telling its own story:

• Miaouli Square: The heart of the city and a model of monumental planning. It is dominated by the majestic City Hall (a creation of Ziller), combining classical ancient Greek proportions with Western monumentality.
• Vaporia District: The most aristocratic quarter, often called "Little Venice". Here, at the very water's edge, are the mansions of captains and shipowners. The buildings feature high windows, marble balconies, and a lack of courtyards on the sea side — the houses seem to grow out of the rocks.
• "Apollo" Theatre: An architectural miniature of the famous "La Scala" in Milan. The building embodies the cultural ambitions of the 19th-century bourgeoisie, combining Italian operatic tradition with local building materials.
• Church of Saint Nicholas: Byzantine traditions intertwine here with Classicism. The church stands out with a luxurious iconostasis and a blue dome that is visible from any point in the harbour.

Urban Planning Features

The plan of Ermoupoli differs from the chaotic development of old island capitals (Choras). The city is designed like an amphitheatre descending to the port, which ensures panoramic views from most buildings.

The streets, many of which are paved with marble, form a complex network of stairs and passageways connecting the waterfront with the upper quarters. This solution allowed for the efficient use of the steep terrain and created natural ventilation during hot summer days.

Literature and Culture

• Demetrius Vikelas (1835–1908) — Writer and first President of the IOC. A native of Ermoupoli who went down in world history as the initiator and organiser of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens (1896) and the first president of the International Olympic Committee.
• Emmanuel Rhoides (1836–1904) — Writer and critic. One of the most brilliant figures of 19th-century Greek literature, born in Ermoupoli. He became famous for his sharp pen and the scandalous historical novel "Pope Joan", translated into many languages.
• Georgios Souris (1853–1919) — Satirical poet and journalist. Born in Ermoupoli and nicknamed the "modern Aristophanes". He published the unique newspaper "Romios", the texts in which were written exclusively in verse and wittily mocked the political realities of that time.
• Manos Eleftheriou (1938–2018) — Poet and novelist. A prominent contemporary author born in the city. His poems became the basis for hundreds of songs by famous Greek composers (including Mikis Theodorakis), making his voice an integral part of Greek musical culture.

Politics and Education

• Eleftherios Venizelos (1864–1936) — Statesman. A legendary politician and multiple-time Prime Minister of Greece, the creator of the modern Greek state. In his youth, he received his education at the famous Gymnasium of Ermoupoli, which today bears his name.
• Neophytos Vamvas (1770–1855) — Educator and scholar. One of the "Teachers of the Nation", who played a key role in the establishment of the education system of independent Greece. He was the first director of the Gymnasium of Ermoupoli, turning it into a prestigious educational centre of the Eastern Mediterranean.