Galissas, Syros

Greece Greece

Administrative Region : South Aegean
Regional unit : Syros

Galissas is a seaside village and one of the most touristic on Syros.[1] It is located on the west side of the island, in the cove of the homonymous bay and beach of the homonymous valley that opens between the mountains of Charassonas and Glarontas. It is 7 kilometers from the capital Ermoupolis. The name is ancient Greek as evidenced by an ancient inscription that mentions someone "Prianeus Syrian Galissios".[2]

Administration and population

Administratively it belongs to the Municipal Unit of Ano Syros, which is under the Municipality of Syros - Ermoupolis. Before the Kallikratis Program, it was under the Municipality of Ano Syros.[3] According to the 2011 census, the area currently has 437 residents.

Population trends:
Year 1928 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 2011
Population 340 363[4] 308[5] 259[6] 283[7] 400 394 437[8]

Sights

The village beach has fine sand, and there is a small harbor with a stone pier and palm trees. Galissas also has organized hotels, camping, many rooms and apartments for rent, taverns and cafes, as well as a beach soccer field.

Above the beach stands a small hill, on the top of which is built the chapel of Agia Pakou (Obedience).[9] It has been discovered that in ancient times, Galissas (as it was called) was a fortified city around this hill and is considered one of the most important archaic and classical centers of ancient Syros. Behind the hill, there is the small beach of Armeos, where many nudists used to vacation in the past.

Another attraction of Galissas is the cave of Agios Stefanos, at the entrance of which a white chapel with running water has been built. According to legend, this chapel was built by a fisherman named Stefanos, who once escaped from a giant octopus and, as a reward for his salvation, built the chapel in honor of the Saint who bore his name.[10]

Culture

Galissa is home to the Galissa Nautical Club, as well as two cultural clubs, which organize various events (theatrical performances, beach volleyball tournaments, horse beauty contests, exhibitions, etc.) throughout the year.[11]

References

Encyclopedia Nea Domii. 8. Athens: Tegopoulos - Maniateas. 1996. p. 94.
Encyclopedia Papyrus Larous Britannica. 16. Papyrus Publishing House. 1996. p. 64.
«ΕΤΑΑ-διοικείτες Μαρακολάντες τον Κολογισμένες». www.eetaa.gr. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
Population of Greece according to the census of 7 March 1951, p. 122 of the pdf. Archived from the original on 2013-05-14.
Population of Greece according to the census of 19 March 1961, p. 120 of the pdf.
Population of Greece according to the census of 14 March 1971, p. 116 of the pdf.
Actual population of Greece according to the census of 5 April 1981, p. 128 of the pdf.
"Official Gazette of the results of the 2011 PERMANENT population census Archived 2021-10-04 at the Wayback Machine.", p. 10833 (p. 359 of the pdf)
DigiServices/Twinnet 2013-2015. "EG | Agia Pakou (Monastery) [CYCLADES, SYROS ERMOUPOLI]". www.exploring-greece.gr. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
TV, Exploring Greece (14 December 2020). "The strange chapel inside the cave and the legend with the fisherman". Retrieved 2 September 2023.
"Cultural & Nautical Club of Galissas "Agios Stefanos"". nicelocal.gr. Retrieved 2 September 2023.

Municipal unit Ano Syros
Municipal Community Ano Syros
Agios Dimitrios (Άγιος Δημήτριος Σύρου, ο)
Άη Μιχάληςς Σύρου, ο
Alithini (Αληθινή Σύρου, η)
Ano Syros (Άνω Σύρος, η))
Varvarousa (Βαρβαρούσα Σύρου, η (νησίδα))
Gyaros (Γυάρος Σύρου, η (νησίδα))
Episkopeio (Επισκοπείο Σύρου, το)
Kini (Κίνι Σύρου, το)
Myttakas (Μύττακας Σύρου, ο)
Papouri (Παπούρι Σύρου, το)
Πλατύ Βουνί Σύρου, το
Φοινικιά Σύρου, η
Χαλανδριανή Σύρου, η
Community Galissas
Galissas (Γαλησσάς Σύρου, ο)
Danakos (Δανακός Σύρου, ο)
Community Pagos
Agros (Αγρός Σύρου, ο)
Mesaria (Μεσαριά Σύρου, η)
Pagos (Πάγος Σύρου, ο)
Parakopi (Παρακοπή Σύρου, η)
Community Chrousa
Χρούσα Σύρου, τα