Area: 402 sq. km Population: 30,011 Capital: Zakynthos

 How to get there:

 By air from Athens, By ferryboat from Kyllini and Ceptlalonia, 

By bus from Athens via Kyllini.

HISTORY: In 1475 BC the son of the king of Phrygia, Zakynthos, conquered the island and gave it his name. Subsequently, Zakynthos changed hands constantly, passing from the Athenians to the Spartans, Macedonians and Romans. In 1185 it broke away from Byzantium and formed the Palatine Komiteia together with Cephalonia. Shortly thereafter it was taken over by the Orsini family (12041, falling to the Venetians in 1484, who held it until the French occupied the island in 1798. A brief moment of Russian domination was succeeded by British rule until 1864. Since antiquity Zakynthos has been known for its admiratrle cultural development; its excellence in the arts continues to this day. Greece’s national poet Dionysios Solomos was born in Zakynthos.

The 1953 earthquake virtually levelled the capital, which has since been rebuilt as it was, with impressive buildings and spacious piazzas. Worth visiting are the fine Post-Byzanrine Museum, the Solomos Museum, the Public Library with its archives, the churches of Agios Dionysios (the is/and’s patron) and Agios Nikolaos on the Quay. In the district of Bokhali above the town a massive Venetian fortress occupies the site of the ancient acropolis, while the church of the Vitgin Chrysopighi contains a rare icon. The interior of Zakynthos is dotted with charming villages like Maherado, where the famous icon screen in the church of Agia Mavra must be seen, Maries, Othonies and the monastery of the Virgin Spiliotissa (16th c.), and Volimes, a mountain village with a number of interesting churches. Laganas is the largest bay and the most popular beach on the island; it is lined with hotels, restaurants and bars. Other seaside villages with lovely beaches include Argasi, Vasilikos, Porto Roma, Alykes and Keri. Caiques are available for trips to the nearby islets of Plemonari, Agios loannis, Agios Nikolaos, Agios Sostis, Marathonisi, Pelouzo and the Strofades, as well as to the renowned Blue Caves. An island with a rich tradition, long history, a variety of natural landmarks and azure sea, Zakynthos possesses numerous modern hoteis and rented rooms to provide its visitors with every comfort. For sports fans there are tennis courts, ping pong tables, mini golf courses, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing, etc. Generally speaking, Zakynthos manages to combine an authentically lonian atmosphere with the cosmopolitan environment of the big tourist centres.

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