| Most Greek Cyclades Islands were rocky, barren islands with white hilltop towns and villages. Ermoupolis was a perfect example of the Cyclades white hilltop town. As Ermoupolis� economy did not depend solely on tourism, this town had a refreshing atmosphere. We spent the late afternoon and evening enjoying this likeable town. In the Middle Ages, Syros was the only Greek island with an entirely Roman Catholic population due to conversion by the Catholic Franks in 1207. During the War of Independence, thousands of Greeks fleeing the Turks came to Syros from other islands. They brought the Greek Orthodox religion with them. Now each had its own hill. Looking up from the harbor, the Catholic settlement of Ano Syros was on the left (highest of the two hills) with the Greek Orthodox settlement of Vrodado on the right. Each denomination�s main church was on the top of their respective hill. While in Ermoupolis we took a taxi up to the top of Ano Syros and walked the entire way down to the harbor. This medieval settlement with its labyrinthine alleyways was a delightful place to explore. |
