As you may know, the Zagora archaeological season is six weeks long. We work six days a week every week, Monday to Saturday except for the middle weekend, after the third week of work, when we get all of Saturday and Sunday off.
This year, Andrew Wilson, Paul Donnelly and Kristen Mann and I decided to go to Syros. Paul had been many years ago and remembered it fondly so he wanted to revisit the place.
It was an occasion to relax and unwind, and prepare for the last three weeks of the season.
We arrived at Syros by ferry around 10pm and then, after only being moderately lost for about 15 minutes, and a phone call by Kristen saving the day with her Greek, that we found our way to our accommodation which we had booked a couple of days before.
The pensione, On Hermoupolis, was perfect: quiet, clean, comfortable and only about a two-minute walk to the main plateia of Ermoupoli, which is the capital not only of Syros but also of the Cyclades. The plateia is only about a two-minute walk from the harbour.
To beat all that, two of our rooms had magnificent views over rooftops to the town of Ano Syros built by the Venetians in the early 13th century on the hill of St Giorgio. You can see it in some of the photos below.
We really only had a bit of Friday night, Saturday and Sunday morning at Syros before catching a ferry to Tinos for lunch, as you do. So I learned little about Syros – except that it is beautiful, and I hope to return some day to spend more time there.
Arriving so late, Paul, Andrew and I ventured out only briefly to have a drink with a view to the plateia, and gradually introduce ourselves to Syros. Kristen decided on an early night – but we were not out for long.
In the morning we all met up to wander to the harbour for breakfast which was plentiful and delicious.
Kristen felt she had to return to her room to work on her PhD while Andrew, Paul and I took a taxi to Ano Syros at the top of the hill of St Giorgio. We then spent about the next two or so hours gradually wandering the wonderful winding paths down towards Ermoupoli.
There won’t be much text that follows. Only an avalanche of photos to provide a few tantalising glimpses of Syros. At every corner is a beautifully composed and coloured photographic moment. For once Paul and Andrew took just about as many photos as I did. Thank goodness for living in a digital age.
On Thursday evening October 24th two of the Co-Directors of the Zagora Archaeological Project, Dr Stavros Paspalas and Dr Lesley Beaumont, presented a public lecture at the Demotiko Theatre in Chora. The lecture “Australia in Andros: Archaeological Research at Zagora” was presented in Modern Greek and provided the wider community with an opportunity to learn about the Project’s aims and the work undertaken at Zagora this year in relation to the previous excavations.
An important aspect of the Zagora Archaeological Project is engagement with the local communities in which we work.
As members of the Zagora Archaeological Project we are warmly welcomed each field season by the Andriot community. We are grateful for this welcome and also acknowledge that we have been afforded a great privilege by the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sport to work at Zagora.
What a beautiful place! I’m avidly reading your blogs at work Irma because they make me feel like I’m still over there!! Your texts and photos bring everything to life. Syros is a must then, for next time!! Regards to everyone. Sue
Hi there Sue – we miss you over here. Starting the last week on site today (Monday). The pressure’s on. Everybody’s working very hard but, as you know, it is deeply satisfying. Very glad you’re enjoying the blog. And I do recommend Syros – wish we’d had more time there.
Hi Irma
Gorgeous photos – I’m ready to book my holiday ….. ! Put me on the list as ‘bag-carrier’ for your next visit there !
Hi Gara – Thanks! I’ve put you on the list. Cheers, Irma
We spent 2 weeks on Syros in 2012 and these photographs took me straight back ! Its just one of our favourite islands but if you only manage a day trip its worth it for Ermopoulis. This is a spectacular town, streets in white marble and the Town Hall on the square.
Your balcony views will take some beating !
Hi Robert. Yes, Syros was delightful. You were very lucky to spend two weeks there. I agree, a day there is better than not seeing it at all. But I’d encourage people to try for at least two days there – so they can go up the hill, and meander down the picturesque winding cobbled pathways down the hill, at leisure, absorbing the architecture and the views. Cheers, Irma
6 thoughts on “Happy snaps from Syros”
What a beautiful place! I’m avidly reading your blogs at work Irma because they make me feel like I’m still over there!! Your texts and photos bring everything to life. Syros is a must then, for next time!! Regards to everyone. Sue
Hi there Sue – we miss you over here. Starting the last week on site today (Monday). The pressure’s on. Everybody’s working very hard but, as you know, it is deeply satisfying. Very glad you’re enjoying the blog. And I do recommend Syros – wish we’d had more time there.
Hi Irma
Gorgeous photos – I’m ready to book my holiday ….. ! Put me on the list as ‘bag-carrier’ for your next visit there !
Cheers
Gara
Hi Gara – Thanks! I’ve put you on the list. Cheers, Irma
We spent 2 weeks on Syros in 2012 and these photographs took me straight back ! Its just one of our favourite islands but if you only manage a day trip its worth it for Ermopoulis. This is a spectacular town, streets in white marble and the Town Hall on the square.
Your balcony views will take some beating !
Hi Robert. Yes, Syros was delightful. You were very lucky to spend two weeks there. I agree, a day there is better than not seeing it at all. But I’d encourage people to try for at least two days there – so they can go up the hill, and meander down the picturesque winding cobbled pathways down the hill, at leisure, absorbing the architecture and the views. Cheers, Irma