Ermoupoli

See also Hermopolis (disambiguation) for other uses

Ermoupoli (Greek: Ερμούπολη Ermoúpoli), also known with its formal name as Ermoupolis (Greek: Ἑρμούπολις < Ἑρμοῦ πόλις "Hermes town", latinized Hermoupolis), is a city in Greece. It is the capital and main city of the island of Syros and the Cyclades prefecture.

History

Ermoupoli was founded during the Greek Revolution in the 1820s, as an extension to the existing Ano Syros township. It soon became the leading commercial and industrial center of Greece, as well as its main port. The renowned Greek Steamship Company was founded in the city in 1856. Thousands of ships were built in the various Syros shipyards.

Eventually Ermoupoli was eclipsed by Piraeus in the late 19th century. In the following decades the city declined. Recently, its economy has greatly improved, based on the service industry.

Sister cities

• El Puerto de Santa María, Spain

Notable people

• Demetrius Vikelas (1835-1908) businessman, writer and the first president of the International Olympic Committee
• Olga Broumas (1949) poet and translator
• Stelios Mainas (1957) actor

External links

• Official website of Ermoupoli
• University of the Aegean in Ermoupoli