HISTORICAL TOUR OF THE ERMOUPOLIS TEXTILE MUSEUM
Located in a narrow street in the old industrial zone of Ermoupolis is hidden one between the 68 factories that the capital of the Cyclades had during its glorious industrial past.
It’s the “Zisimatos Bros” textile factory, remained as it was on the day it stopped its production; a unique sample of the industrial heritage of Syros.
The “Hermoupolis Heritage” is proud to help the restoration and the real resurrection of this fantastic place.
The old factory, after several years of hard works, has been restored, and actually is offered to the visitor for a short imaginary travel through the time. Passing through the old main entrance door, we can “discover” the traces of the workers life, all the commercial activities in the factory which developed, produced and manufactured material, and finally learn about the miracle of the textile industry that flourished in Ermoupolis in the end of 19th century and in the begging of the 20th century.
The learning, through reflection on doing,begins with a strange way: we enter to the factory with a lantern in hand as they did the workers, many years ago every morning in order to start their working day.The guide welcomes the visitors wearing the typical worker uniform and he makes an introduction to the past based on oral and written memories of 40 employees, till 1986, the date that the factory ceased its operation.
Then, the visitors they wear also the typical worker uniform, they fill in the work card, as the workers did in the past, and they taste the traditional workers packed lunch brought from home. During the tour, the senses are activated through the sound, as the old diesel engine in the paint shop starts to operate, they are listened to the sewing machines gasping, and they even smell everywhere the “scent” of time passed by seeing the threads “frozen” in the looms!
All the above contribute to approaching by a pleasant way history and culture through an entertaining process that ends up gathering all the “visitors-workers” around a wooden table where they taste the packed lunch made by traditional local products.
Ticket prices
Adults: 20euro
Students: 15euro
Children till 18 years old: 10euro
Languages spoken: Greek, English and French
Duration of the tour: 60 minutes
Included in the price: A mastic flavor traditional liquor and a snack made of dried figs
A Typical worker’s packed lunch
Prices
Adults: 40euro
Students: 35euro
Children till 18 years old: 30euro
Languages spoken: Greek, English and French
Duration of the tour: 60 minutes
Duration of the lunch: 60-90 minutes
Included in the price: A mastic flavor traditional liquor, a snack made of dried figs and the lunch
A typical worker’s packed lunch brought from home in the past contains:
- Stale bread
- Smoked pork( local recipe)
- Fennel sausage ( local recipe )
- Onion
- Syros cucumber
- Syros tomatoes
- Stuffed grape leaves
- Halva ( local dessert made my dried sesame )
- Olives
- Oregano
- Two different types of locals cheeses
- White local wine produced by “ Syros Distillery”
- Local ouzo produced by “ Makrionitis Distillery”
- Fresh water
Prices
Adults: 60 euro
Students: 55euro
Children till 18 years old: 50euro
Languages spoken: Greek, English and French
Duration of the tour: 60 minutes
Duration of the lunch:60-90 minutes
Included in the price: A mastic flavor traditional liquor, a snack made of dried figs and the typical worker’s packed richest lunch brought in a bag.
A typical worker’s packed richest lunch brought in a bag contains:
- Βread
- Pie or individual appetize
- Individual fresh salad
- Cooked food made with a typical Syros recipe with local products in metal can.
- Syros typical dessert made of biscuits in sandwich filled with loukoumi cream.
- White local wine produced by “ Syros Distillery”
- Local ouzo produced by “ Makrionitis Distillery”
- Fresh water
- A handmade gift souvenir from Syros
Prices
Groups of 20 pax minimum
Adults: 80 euro
Students: 75 euro
Children till 18 years old: 70 euro
Languages spoken: Greek, English and French
Duration of the tour: 60 minutes
Duration of the lunch: 120 minutes
Included in the price: A mastic flavor traditional liquor, a snack made of dried figs and Lunch presented and served in an old-fashioned way on waxed paper accompanied by live folkloric music (rebetica).
A lunch presented and served in an old-fashioned way on waxed paper contains:
- Stale bread
- Smoked pork( local recipe)
- Fennel sausage ( local recipe )
- Onion
- Syros cucumber
- Syros tomatoes
- Stuffed grape leaves
- Olives
- Oregano
- Two different types of locals cheeses
- Individual appetizer
- Cooked food made with a typical Syros recipe with local products in metal can.
- White local wine produced by “ Syros Distillery”
- Local ouzo produced by “ Makrionitis Distillery”
- Beer
- Fresh water
- Handmade typical dessert with a sweet with dried almonds and syrup
- A handmade gift souvenir from Syros
A group of local musicians playing and singing rebetica music and songs.
After special demand a worker of the factory could be present and share with the visitors his memories for the time he worked there..
Prices
Group: 20 pax minimum
Children 5-18 years old:5 euro
Sandwichesandsweetsserved : 15 euroLanguages spoken: Greek, English and French
Children’slunch: 20 euro – Languages spoken: Greek, English and French
Duration:60 minutes
Included in the price:A snack, fruit juice and fresh water.
General conditions
- In case of groups with a lot of people there is the possibility to adapt to the needs of visitors.
- In case of groups with a lot of people the visitors could be divided into groups of 25 pax with an interval of at least 10 minutes between them.
- All tours are prepaid either by issuing an invoice or by booking on a platform.
- Cancellations are not allowed. In case of notification at least 60 days in advance, a new date can be set upon request.
- The lunch tour must be booked at least 48 hours in advance.
- Only in case of unfavorable weather conditions the lunch can be transferred to the interior.
- It is forbidden to photograph and videotape during the tour. It is allowed afterwards.
- Pets are prohibited
- No smoking indoors
Mobile: 0030 6932327703
Address: Iroon Politehniou 16, Hermoupolis, Syros 841 00
Mail to: info@hermoupolisheritage.com
Instagram: hermoupolis_heritage
Facebook: HermoupolisHeritage
Web: www.hermoupolisheritage.com
Photocredits: SotirisTsakanikas/DimitrisKaraiskos/Inbulb