Syros
was the largest cultural and trade centre of the Agean in the 19th
century and capital Ermoupolis was Greece's principal port. From
the time of the Fourth Crusade (13th Century) until 1568 Syros belonged
to the Duchy of Naxos.
After that period the island had a significant
Roman Catholic minority which was under the protection protection
of France from piracy and the during Turkish occupation. For this
reason the island remained neutral during the War of Independence
and people from other islands who escaped massacres found refuge
in Syros and built the island's capital - Ermoupolis- between the
district of Ano Syros and the seafront.