This is the emblem of the cultural development of Syros. It was built in 1862-1864 and designed by architect P. Sampo under the responsibility of the municipality. The two-storey building is of simple architecture with plastered facades. The floors are separated by a strip of limestone while in the central part a vertical axis with four pillars is strong emphasized.
There is a European theater interior, with the square space for the orchestra in front of the stage, three rows of wooden galleries and a balcony gallery. Even though limited to the requirements of European opera, it retained the Italian tradition. After all, there is a widespread local perception that Apollon Theater is a miniature of La Scala in Milan. Indeed, the architecture is influenced by Italian standards, but when it comes to the layout of the room and the double arch of the proscenium with the giant Corinthian pilasters, Apollon is associated with at least four Italian standards, Scala of Milan (1776), the renovated theater (1816) San Carlo in Naples, the academic theater Castelfranco (1745) and finally the Teatro della Pergola in Florence (1755). On the contrary the vaulted ceiling seems to follow the French style of the 19th century.
The construction of a permanent shelter was born as an idea in 1828. However, the building was not characterized for its stability. In 1874 it needed a general reconstruction and new repairs followed in 1881, 1890 (seats and stage) and 1896 (general). The decoration of the galleries was simple, with light color and frames with sculpted ornaments in the center and floral motifs in the corners. The seats and the curtains of the galleries were velvet. Around the chandelier of the ceiling artists had painted performances by poets and composers.
The theater was declared unsuitable for operation in the 1950s, and in 1959 it the Municipality decided to renovate it. The renovation started in 1970 and caused great deterioration in the interior. The wooden galleries were replaced with concrete balconies. Nowadays the restoration of the theater has been completed and the new version tried to remain as faithful as possible to its original form. Clubs like the "Theatre Cultural Club of Syros Apollon" (founded in 1977) and "Souris Artistic Group" (1978), gave performances in the concrete theater to attract the interest of the public. The first stage of the renovation, funded by the state and the EEC, was completed in 1991. The theater was first reopened after 40 years or so for the Fourth Meeting of Amateur troupes of the Aegean (October 29 to November 8, 1991) and the Cultural Association of Ano Syros took part in it. New ceiling paintings were created in 1998 by Dimitris Fortsas.
The operation of the Municipal theater called "Apollon" began on April 20, 1864, with the Verdi’s Rigoletto. In April 1866 the theater is given to the Greek Drama Company. Despite the fact that the economic decline of Syros has become obvious, the theater still continues to give performances by Italian and Greek groups of opera, operetta and prose.
Then the Greco-Italian war began and the theater declined and even in later years it never managed to acquire all its glory back. In 2002 a space of “Memories of the Theater of Apollon” was opened where you can see there several findings (posters, programs, costumes etc.) of performers, artists, and writers of that period.
Open hours:
- December 1 - March 31: Monday to Sunday, 10:00-15:00
- April 1 - October 31: Monday to Sunday, 09:00-14:00
- In November the theater remains closed due to maintenance work.
