Το δεύτερο πιο σημαντικό κτίριο της Ερμούπολης είναι σίγουρα το Θέατρο Απόλλων. Είναι επίσης γνωστό και ως "La Piccola Scala" επειδή έχει σχεδιαστεί ως μια μικρογραφία της Σκάλας του Μιλάνου. Χτίστηκε το 1862 με 1863 με σχέδια του Ιταλού αρχιτέκτονα P. Sampo. Είναι ένα από τα παλαιότερα εσωτερικά θέατρα της σύγχρονης εποχής και ένα αρχιτεκτονικό κόσμημα για την Ερμούπολη. Εναρκτήρια παράσταση θεωρείται η όπερα του Βέρντι "Ριγκολέτο" ή η "La Favorita" του Gaetano Donizetti. Πολλές διακεκριμένες όπερες, θεατρικά έργα και οπερέτες παρουσιάστηκαν με επιτυχία από τότε κι έτσι η Ερμούπολη αποτέλεσε κέντρο πολιτιστικής ζωής και ένα δημοφιλές μέρος για επισκέπτες που έρχονταν εδώ για να παρακολουθήσουν τις εξαιρετικές παραστάσεις της Tosca, IL Trovatore, La Boheme και πολλές άλλες . Στη σκηνή του θεάτρου εμφανίστηκαν μερικοί από τους πιο διάσημους ηθοποιούς στην Ελλάδα του 20ου αιώνα, όπως Μαρίκα Κοτοπούλη, η Κυβέλη, ο Μάνος Κατράκης και άλλοι. Αξίζει να σημειωθεί ότι η εξαιρετική ηθοποιός της δεκαετίας του '40 και του '50 Μαρίκα Κοτοπούλη έδωσε εδώ την τελευταία της παράσταση το 1953.
Το 2002 ένας νέος χώρος εγκαινιάστηκε μέσα στο θέατρο, ο "Χώρος των αναμνήσεων", όπου μπορεί κανείς να θαυμάσει εκθέματα όπως φυλλάδια, κοστούμια, αφίσες κτλ που δημιουργήθηκαν από καλλιτέχνες και συγγραφείς που εργάστηκαν για το θέατρο.
Υπάρχουν πολλά αξέχαστα κτίρια εντός και εκτός της Ερμούπολης, που ανήκαν σε πλούσιους ή διακεκριμένους ανθρώπους του παρελθόντος. Παραδείγματα τέτοιων κτιρίων είναι το Εμπορικό Επιμελητήριο, το αρχοντικό, «Βαφειαδάκη» και «Βουρλή», το κτίριο της Νομαρχίας και πολλά άλλα. Τα περισσότερα από αυτά βρίσκονται ακόμη σε άριστη κατάσταση και χρησιμοποιούνται ως γραφεία, τράπεζες, ξενοδοχεία και ιδιωτικές κατοικίες.
Όλα αυτά τα κτίρια δίνουν μια μοναδική αίγλη στην Ερμούπολη και κάνουν τους επισκέπτες της να τη λατρέψουν. Μια βόλτα στην πόλη μας θα σας εντυπωσιάσει. Αξίζει πραγματικά!!!
The most outstanding buildings of Hermoupolis
Hermoupolis is called the “Lady” of the Cyclades. One of the reasons why it has given this name is definitely the beauty its neoclassical buildings. In every corner of the so-called “historical centre” there are impressive marble buildings with elegant balconies and excellent wooden windows and doors which are real masterpieces. They keep standing in grace and harmony reminding of a glorious and wealthy past. They were built in the 19th century or the beginning of the 20th century when Hermoupolis had a large development and exceptional flourishing.
The Town Hall
This building holds the most outstanding position in the centre of Hermoupolis. The first impression that one has is that you are in front of a palace. It was designed in 1854 and started being built in 1876 but it was not accomplished until 1891. It was designed by the Bavarian architect Ernst Ziller who had also designed well-known buildings in Athens. What is remarkable about its construction is the amazing facade of the building with its beautiful pediment, the excellent towers and the imposing marble staircase, the rich interior design, the excellent use of marble for such a huge building as well as the absolute symmetry of the whole structure.
For all these reasons the Town Hall of Hermoupolis was justly identified as a work of art by a ministerial decree of 1980.
Today, in the Town Hall there are offices of the Municipality of Hermoupolis, Courts and other public services.
Apollo Theatre
The second most important building in Hermoupolis is definitely Apollo Theatre. It is also known as “La Piccola Scala” because it was designed as a micrography (miniature) of La Scala in Milan. It was built in 1862 to 1863 designed by the Italian architect P. Sampo. It is one of the oldest indoor theatres of modern times and an architectural jewel for Hermoupolis. Its inaugural performance was supposed to have been Verdi’s Opera “Rigoletto” or “La Favorita” by Gaetano Donizetti. A lot of distinguished operas, theatrical plays and operettas were performed successfully since then making Hermoupolis the centre of cultural life and a popular visiting place for the cultivated opera audience who came here to attend excellent performances of Tosca, IL Trovatore, La Boheme and many more. On the theatre’s stage appeared some of the most famous Greece’s actors of the 20th century such as Marica Kotopouli, Kyveli, Manos Katrakis and others. It is worth mentioning that the superb actress of the 40s and 50s Marica Kotopouli gave here the last performance in 1953.
Unfortunately the theatre was closed down in 1959 as it was deemed unsuitable for performances and it was not until the 1980s that it started to be reconstructed. It was finally reopened in July 2000 totally and successfully restored with velvet seats and amazing ceiling paintings which give it a sense of its past grandeur.
The first opera performance (after of 100 years of no performances) was Rossini’s IL Barbiere di Siviglia in 2005. Since the reopening it has been staging performances by local theatrical teams as well as distinguished theatrical companies from other Greek cities or towns, music performances, national or even international festivals and so on.
In 2002 a new room was inaugurated inside the theatre. That is the “Place of Memories” where one can admire exhibits such us brochures, costumes, posters etc made by artists and playwrights who worked on the theatre.
There is also a number of other memorable buildings inside and outside Hermoupolis which belonged to rich or distinguished people of the past. Examples of such buildings are the Chamber of Commerce, Vourlis’ mansion, Vafiadakis’ house, the Prefecture building and many more. Most of them are still in excellent condition and are used as offices, banks hotels or private homes.
All these buildings give our town a unique prestige and make its people and its visitors adore Hermoupolis. A walk through the town will impress you. It is really worth it!!!
