By the time people in the palace of the ancient Mycaeneans finally developed interest in "sa-sa-ma" - writing tablets listing deliveries of supplies also give an abbreviated form of the word as "sa" - (sesame) in 1500 B.C., the sesame plant had already been in use in East Africa and India for about 500 years.  The plant had been deliberately cultivated there and the nutritious aromatic sesame seeds were highly prized.  Around 600 B.C., the Greeks discovered that sesame seeds were perfect for flavoring bread: "Seven couches and as many tablets, crowned with poppy seed, linseed and sesame seed bread, and for the girls, buckets of a sweet dessert...this a sweet mixture of honey and linseed," enthuses Athenaeus in his book Deipnosophistae ("The Banquet of the Learned" or "The Gastronomers"), providing unequivocally that not only sesame seed bread, but also tasty combinations of plant seeds and honey, for instance, were extremely popular at the time.  The list of household goods belonging to a rich Athenian whose possessions were to be auctioned included sesame seeds, alongside such mundane items as olive oil, lentils, and grain.   And the poet Antiphanes from the 4th century B.C. also lists sesame seeds along with caraway marjoram, and thyme in his list of spices. 

But is was to be centuries before Greece eventually produced the most delicious and healthiest sweet confectionery of all: halvas, halva. in northern Greece, halvas is served for breakfast on account of its nutritional value, as well as for dessert along with a glass of wine.  Halvas consists of 50 percent milled and toasted sesame seeds (takhini) and a warmed mixture of sugar and glucose.  It is now possible to replace the sugar content with honey or fructose so that even diabetics may enjoy halvas.  The sesame paste is mixed with sugar or honey until it forms a solid mass.  This is left to cool and harden.  Before it sets completely, the paste is put into different sized molds.  Halvas sets at 59 degree F (15 degree C).  Cocoa, peanuts, pistachios, almonds, or candied fruit, as well as oil of roses may be added to produce a variety of flavors.  Its appearance can also be varied by molding it into various shapes or coating it with chocolate.  Halvas is particularly popular with Greeks during Lent since it is thankfully not prohibited.  Because of its high content of fat, calcium, iron, phosphorus, protiens, and vitamins A and C, it is a long-lasting and nutritious source of energy and is also believed to rejuvenate the cells of the body.

Halvas are available at GreekShops in various flavors:

Greek Macedonian Halva with Honey

Greek Makedonian Halva Plain

Greek Dessert Makedonikos Halva With Almonds

Greek Dessert Makedonikos Halva Pistachio

Greek Dessert Makedonikos Halva Sugar - free

Greek Dessert Makedonikos Halva Cocoa

  Featured Destination: Kimolos

GEOGRAPHY. In the centre of the Cyclades, between Kythnos, Tenos, Rheneia and Mykonos, Syros or Syra is 84 sq. km. in area, has 87 km. of coastline and is 83 nautical miles from Piraeus. There are daily passenger and car ferries from Piraeus, linking Syros with the other Cycladic islands, with Herakleion in Crete, Ikaria, Samos and Fournoi. A car ferry service from Rafina links Syros with Andros and Tenos. Hermoupolis, the island's main town, is also capital of the prefecture of the Cyclades, their administrative and commercial centre with a population of 19,668. Syros is a mountainous island (highest point Pyrgos, 431 m. a.s.l.) particularly in the north, whereas in the south it is flat with small, fertile plains. As a consequence of this alternating terrain the coast is indented with small coves, headlands and two large bays: Phoinika on the west side and Hermoupolis on the east, with lovely beaches between, popular with visitors. The island retains much of its former grandeur and because of its facilities for tourists, natural beauty, historical and archeological monuments, one is assured of a pleasant stay.

HISTORY. Excavations have verified the island's habitation since Neolithic times. The prehistoric acropolis of Kastri and the site of Chalandriani have both yielded finds of the Early Cycladic civilisation (2700 - 2200 BC). Phoenicians were settled here, the name of the village Phoinikas being a legacy of their presence. In historical times Syros was colonised by Ionians and had two large cities, one of which stood on the site of Hermoupolis. During the Persian Wars it initially sided with the Medes, though later joined the Athenian League. In Hellenistic times it was under the aegis of Macedonia and the Egyptian Ptolemies. In contrast with the other islands, Syros experienced an acme in Roman times, which, however, was eclipsed in Byzantine times. In 1207 it was a Venetian possession under the jurisdiction of the Duchy of Naxos. Then it was that the fortified town of Ano Syros was built on the hill to the west of the harbour. It was taken by the Turks in 1537. Many Catholics from the surrounding -islands sought refuge on Syros which, with the support of Venice and the interest shown by the king ofFrance, developed into a bastion of the Latin faith. Shortly before the 1821 Revolution Syros enjoyed considerable prosperity and its harbour was a hive of commercial activity. Fugitives from persecution by the Turks sought asylum here and in 1822 refugees from Psara, Chios and Smyrna built Hermoupolis between Ano Syros and the waterfront. For almost half a century Syros flourished as a commercial, nautical and cultural centre. The development of Piraeus as the foremost port of Greece signalled its decline, but even today its population is largely involved in entrepreneurial and maritime activities.

SIGHTS-MONUMENTS. As one sails into the island's harbour, Hermoupolis, the view of the town is truly splendid, with its impressive mansions. Neoclassical buildings, houses with pronounced folk architectural elements extend upwards from the quayside to the brow of the hill. Of the public buildings the Town Hall in Miaoulis Square (designed by Ziller), built between 1876 and 1881, the commemorative statue of Miaoulis, the Municipal Theatre "Apollo", small-scale copy of La Scala in Milan, are of interest. Throughout the day Miaoulis Square with its elegant palm trees throngs with life, while in the late afternoon its cafes are a favourite meeting place. Churches of note include that of the Transfiguration (the cathedral), the Dormition, St. Demetrius (3 km. out of town), St. Barbara, St. Nicholas and the Three Hierarchs. The seafarers' quarter, Vaporia, has narrow streets bordered by Neoclassical mansions. The Archaeological Museum houses significant finds and the public library has a rich selection of volumes old and new. The medieval town of Ano Syros, built in Venetian times, stands on the hill of San Giorgio. Its steep, stepped streets endow it with a special charm and at its pinnacle stands the Catholic church of San Giorgio, which acquired its present aspect in 1843, replacing a smaller, medieval chapel, now incorporated within its interior, which stood on the site of a 12th century Byzantine church. East of the church of San Giorgio is the Bishop's residence and nearby the Capuchin monastery and the Jesuit monastery. There are over 50 Catholic churches on Syros, both in Hermoupolis and other villages.
On the northeast side of the island (approx. 12 km. from Hermoupolis) is the site of Chalandriani, dug by the Greek archaeologist Christos Tsountas who brought to light an important prehistoric cemetery (500 graves). The copious finds from here greatly enriched our knowledge of the Early Cycladic civilization, particularly the early years of its floruit (2700 - 2200 BC). Other prehistoric cemeteries have been located on Syros (Pidna, Aghios Loukas). Northwest of Chalandriani, on the hill of Kastri, early and more recent excavators have brought to light a fortified settlement, one of the earliest in the Cyclades. From the rich finds, dating to the second half of the 3rd millennium BC, contact with Asia Minor can be inferred, According to tradition, at Platy Vouni, near Chalandriani, is the cave of the historian and philosopher Pherekides, pupil of Pittakos and teacher of Pythagoras, who hailed from Syros.

The southern part of the island is the most fertile and densely populated. Greenery abounds in the richly planted gardens of the old summer houses built by sailors and merchants from Hermoupolis. 2.5 km. from Hermoupolis is Talanta with its church of St. John the Theologian. To the southeast, in the area of Ano Manna, is the Phaneromeni monastery. Vari, the most beautiful holiday spot, is 9 km. from town and has a sandy beach and clear blue sea. In the bay of Phoinikas (12 km. from town) is Poseidonia (Delta Grazia) one of the loveliest areas on the island, rivaled perhaps by Parakopi (4 km.further north). The sea and sand at Angathopes is irresistable, while at Kini on the west side (9 km. from Hermoupolis) one is assured of an enjoyable vacation. The beaches at Galissa, Megas Yalos and Grammata are also delightful, while one can swim at Kymata and Aghios Nikolaos right beside Hermoupolis. There is no problem in reaching any of the beaches and there is regular public transport. Caiques make trips from Kini or Hermoupolis to the more remote beaches (Varvarousa, Grammata) and it is easier to get to those on the northeast and northwest coast by boat, since access by road is rather difficult. Refueling station at Hermoupolis. Accommodation is available in lots of hotels, pensions, furnished rooms or flats and even Neoclassical villas (Poseidonia, Manna).
 

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 Saints' Namedays in June

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Gold and Silver Icons	Hand painted Icons	Icons by Zafiris
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