Syrrako was built on the slopes of Mount Peristeri sometime after the 11th century by Aromanians (Vlachs). They are an ethnic group native to the Balkans who speak a language similar to Romanian. During the Ottoman period the village belonged to the mother of the Sultan and enjoyed many privileges. The surrounding pasture lands were home to tens of thousands of sheep and goats, while local merchants visited the biggest trade centers in the Mediterranean and Black Sea to sell local products and their famous woolen capes. Their profits enabled them to build impressive stone mansions, while foreign visitors were impressed by the vibrant trade and intellectual life of Syrrako.