The Colours of Syros

I have been living on the fascinating Greek island of Syros for many years. It is the administrative Capital of the Cyclades group of islands, which includes famous names like Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Milos and of course Santorini.

In my numerous travels and adventures around the island I have always been struck by the vibrant colours on display. Traditionally the Cyclades are well known and recognisable for the white cubic architectural form of the houses and public buildings. Most often they are adorned with the distinctive royal Aegean blue windows and shutters, to complete the picture of a quintessential Greek house. This is in keeping with the wonderful blue and white Greek flag, arguably the best on display around the world!

However, Syros’s buildings are distinctly different in their variation away from the traditional blue and white colours. Many of the houses are painted in strong robust vibrant colours, and the downtown buildings of Ermoupolis have a strong Venetian feel.

And it’s not just the buildings that are multi coloured ... it also seems to extend to the often seen eccentric cars, as well as the ubiquitous bouganvillias.

I had often thought in my time on the island that there has been an enterprising house painter who has made a lucrative living in convincing the usually conservative Greeks to depart from the traditional white with blue, to a multitude of different colours. It is even pronounced in the various villages, where one would have thought a more conservative approach would be adopted ... but not so. Even some of the churches are occasionally adorned in vivid and striking colours !

Perhaps this large range and scope of vibrant colours is a reflection of the islands rich multi cultural history, and the arrival of it’s inhabitants from all over Greece in troubled times. Or perhaps it’s because the island is split almost equally between Orthodox and Catholic religions, again an unusual demographic for an Aegean island.

Whatever the reason ... the colours of Syros are a welcome and uplifting sight, reflecting the island’s incredible history and it’s mature and sophisticated multi cultural status.  For me it represents a statement from the locals that the Syrianos are proud and independent people, different from their Cycladic neighbours.

Writer: Gaverides

An Australian who settled permanently on the island of Syros in 2018, having been a regular visitor to Greece since 2001.