Why Visit
It has beautiful sandy beaches with crystalline waters which attract thousands of visitors every year.
The Venetians had given to the island the name "Fioro di Levante", meaning the "Flower of the Orient" as the island has rich and dense vegetation, its mountains are covered with pines and its plains are particularly fertile.
Zakynthos is famous for its unspoiled natural environment, home to the endangered species of sea turtle called Caretta-Caretta which goes there during the reproduction period. The Monk seal Monachus Monachus also goes to Zakynthos to give birth.
Zakynthos is also famous for its amazing wonderful golden sandy beaches.
The most famous beaches are as Vassilikos, Laganas, Tsilivi and Alykes.
History
Ancient times
Zakynthos, or the Flower of the East as the Venetians used to call it, was inhabited from the Neolithic Times, as archaeological excavations have proved. Homer first mentioned the island in the Iliad and the Odyssey, stating that the first inhabitants were the son of King Dardanos of Troy called Zakynthos and his men and that they first came on the island around 1,500-1,600 BC. The island was then conquered by the King Arkeisios of Kefalonia.
Because of the island's strategic position and fertile land, its inhabitants became quite wealthy and established various colonies in Crete, Paros and even Spain. In the 5th century, during the Persian Wars, Zakynthos remained neutral and during the Peloponnesian War it took part in the Athenian Alliance. When the Alliance was dissolved after the Athenian defeat in the expedition against Sicily, Zakynthos came under the Lacedaemonian rule, which established an oligarchy on the island and ended the democracy. Later on, the inhabitants of Zakynthos organised a revolution and managed to restore their democratic political system.
After the Macedonian Wars, Zakynthos fell under Macedonian rule and later was occupied by the Romans. This last domination marked the history of Zakynthos. In the beginning of the Roman domination, a proconsul organised the administration of the island according to the Roman laws. Later Zakynthos gained some autonomy but had to pay an annual tax to the Romans and to send soldiers to the Roman legion. The islanders had the freedom to establish their own laws and had their own municipality, parliament and coins. For Zakynthos and its inhabitants, the Roman times were a period of great material and cultural development.
From Venetian times till present
Around 34 AD, Christianity arrived on the island and became dominant in the second half of the 3rd century AD during the rise of the Byzantine Empire, formed by Constantine the Great. Then, the island of Zakynthos, along with the other Ionian Islands fell under Venetian and Frank domination, followed by the rule of the King of Naples and the Prince of Florence.
During the 15th century, when the rest of Greece was under Turkish rule, the Ionian Islands were still under Venetian domination, with established a rude aristocratic oligarchic political system. The Venetians promoted the cultural heritage of Zakynthos with the birth of many important Greek poets and writers, such as the renowned Andreas Kalvos, the National Greek poet Dionysios Solomos, the judge Georgios Tertsetis and the theatrical writer Antonis Matessis. A family that played important role in the local affairs is the Roma family. In 1797, French republicans came on the island promising to change the social, economical and political system but nothing lasted very long.
The oligarchy was re-established when the Russians and the Turks conquered the island. The French managed again to take Zakynthos but the English followed, who stayed on the island from 1814 to 1864. During their domination, the English modernised and developed the administration and public works on the island. Even having escaped the Ottoman rule, Zakynthos helped the rest of Greece in the Revolution for Independence against the Turks. Zakynthos and the other Ionian Islands were integrated to the Greek State on 21st of May, 1864.
Museums - Archeological
Zakynthos is inhabited since the prehistoric years and is often referred in the epics of Homer. The Zakynthian culture was strongly influenced by the Romans and other civilizations who settled there but it flourished greatly during the Venetian period. Zakynthos is home to various museums and first on this list is the Byzantine Museum of Zakynthos housed in one of the oldest buildings, in Solomos square. The rich collection consists of Byzantine icons, frescoes made by Cretan artists and other impressive sculpture works from 16th century.
Solomos Museum opened its doors to visitors in 1959 presenting many items from the personal collection of Dionysios Solomos, the renowned Greek poet, as well as works of other literate men. The museum's exhibition focuses on other forms of art and among them are paintings, musical instruments, ceramic and sculpture works. Next to Solomos Museum is the Municipal Library with interesting manuscripts from the 18th century.
Some kilometres outside the capital of Zakynthos you will meet the Helmis Natural Museum which aims to provide insight and ways to protect the island's ecosystem. Visitors can see a nice collection o rare animal species.
The naval history of Zakynthos from the 18th century to modern times is beautifully portrayed in the Naval Museum located in Tsivili, through a nice exhibition including ship models, books and traditional machinery. Zakythos is the birthplace of many artists, among them Grigorios Xenopoulos, one of the most famous play writers in Greece. The two-storey house, where the writer spent his childhood, is now a museum that displays his personal belongings.
Beaches
Navagio or Shipwreck, Gerakas, Agios Nikolaos, Kalamaki, Porto Zoro, Spanzia, Laganas, Tsilivi, Agios Sostis, Alykanas, Alykes, Amboula, Argassi, Banana, Dafni, Drosia, Koukla, Ksigia, Limni Keriou, Limnionas, Makris Gialos, Marathia, Plaka, Planos, Porto Kaminia, Porto Roma, Porto Vromi, Stenitis
Religious Monasteries and Churches
From the austere chapels to the glorious churches and imposing monasteries, Zakynthos has been a perfect example of ecclesiastical architecture with strong influences from the Venetian, French and British civilizations. However, the final form of the island's architecture was established after the devastating earthquake of 1953 where most of the buildings were rebuilt.
Today, one of the most famous religious sites of Zakynthos is the Church of Agios Dionysios. The church was built in 1708 and is dedicated to Saint Dionysius, the saint protector of the island. It owns the highest bell tower of the island that rises over the main port. Moving a little further from Chora, in the village of Kiliomeno you reach the small 17th century monastery of Panagia Yperagathou dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The road is long, yet quite verdant with blooming meadows on both sides.
At the centre of Maherado is the impressive church of Agia Mavra. There, amongst other worth-seeing icons, visitors will admire the icon dedicated to the saint. According to a local tradition, the icon dates back to 3rd century and originates from Egypt, where the saint lived. In the village of Volimes, on top of a cape stands the monastery of Agios Georgios Gremon. While entering the monastery, you can see the monk cells, the tower in the middle and the church on the right side.
The Monastery of Panagia Anafonitria is a must see visit for all tourists. This monastery lies in the middle of a lush green forest and of unique interest is the half-ruined medieval bell tower that stands on the entrance. The monastery hosts a 15th century icon of the Virgin and many wall frescoes. One of the last worth-seeing monasteries in Zakynthos is Agios Ioannis the Baptist located in the village of Katastari. It dates back to 16th century and offers an amazing panoramic view to the island of Kefalonia and the Peloponisian coast.
