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.
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:
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..
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