Iraklia Syros Ferry

Iraklia Guide

The small Greek island of Iraklia is one of the Cyclades group of islands and is located in the Aegean Sea. It measures around 18 sq. km and lies between the island of Naxos and the island of Ios, and is close to the islands of Schoinoussa, Koufonisi, Donoussa and Keros which together for the Small Cyclades group of islands. The island has many artefacts that have been found confirming that ancient settlements and tomb were located on the island. Finds include evidence of the Early Cycladic civilisation (3rd millennium BC) and the ruins of the temples of the Goddess Luck and the Goddess Zeus, dating back to the 4th - 2nd century BC. The islands coastal terrain, characterised by coves and naturally formed caves, were good hiding places for pirates and smugglers during the Turkish Occupation.

Agios Georgios is the island's port from which ferries operate to Piraeus with a crossing time of between 8 and 10 hours, depending on route. Ferry services are also available to the other islands of the Small Cyclades and also to Naxos and Amorgos.

Syros Guide

The Greek island of Syros is one of the Cyclades group of islands and is unusual in that the island's architecture is more medieval rather than the more typical Cycladic. The island's capital is Ermoupolis and has some fine examples of Venetian mansions to see. In the Vaporia quarter of the capital visitors will find some lovely large churches and impressive neoclassical buildings, such as the Town Hall and Apollo Theatre in the central square. Also popular with visitors are the island's beaches which are well equipped for tourists and have a good range of facilities.

The island can trace its history back to the 3rd millennium BC where signs of inhabitation have been found in the Halandriani and Kastri parts of the island. Artefacts found indicate that there was some kind of metal workshop on the island which possibly had a trading relationship with Asia Minor. The Samians occupied the island in the 6th century BC and is when many of the island's inhabitants moved to the island. At that time, the important physician and philosopher Pherecydis was born in Syros and some years later he went to Samos and became the teacher of Pythagoras.