welcometozante.net : Places you must visit in Zante

BLUE CAVES
On the northern part of the island is Cape Schinari, and to the east of the cape are the Blue Caves in the region of White rock, a series of geological formations that have created a unique seascape. Apart from the natural arches that have been carved out by erosion, these caves are famous for the colour of the water in its deepest hollows, a deep azure colour which is most striking in the morning when the light is at its brightest. The biggest of the caves is the Kianoun cave. In order to reach there you can hire a boat which sails from the port of the town or the port of St. Nicholas in Volimes.

MARATHONISI
The island of Marathonisi in Laganas bay, nesting area of Caretta-Caretta. It has the shape of a turtle. Once it was joined with Marathias cape 1 mile away. Marathonissi also includes two small islands called the Pontikonisia. The vegetation is thick with pine-trees and the green oak trees. There are two beaches on Marathonissi. On the one side there is the beach with golden sand where the turtle Caretta Caretta lay their eggs while on the second you will find a beach with pebbles and two small sea caves which you can visit. In order to reach Marathonissi you can hire a boat from Keri Lake or Laganas bay.

BYZANTINE MUSEUM
The Byzantine Museum of Zante was built after the earthquake of 1953. It was organised by the Academician Manolis Hadzidakis and was opened to the public in 1960.

DIONISIOS SOLOMOS MUSEUM
The Museum of Dionysios Solomos and Eminent Zakyntians was rebuilt in 1957. It has been in operation since 1966 and since January 17, 1968, the bones of the national poets, Dionysios Solomos and Andreas Kalvos repose in its Mausoleum. The Museum consists of the following: the ground floor are the Dionysios Solomos Room, the Room of Eminent Zakynthians, the D. Romas Room and the Nicholas and Thaleia Kolyva Room, in which an important number of the manuscripts of the national poet Dionysios Solomos are kept, as well as some of his personal belongings, a rich collection of portaits of eminent Zakynthians, and an important collection of icons. The Museum also has a well-stocked library containing a large collection of documents, and also period furniture, an archaeological and folk art collection as well as a collection of photographs.

MONASTERY OD AGHIOS IOANNES PRODROMOS
Post-Byzantine monastery of closed form with the katholikon (main church) in the centre of a space enclosed by buildings and a high pe ribolos wall with two secondary entrances. The main entrance is associated with the bell-tower. The complex includes also a defensive tower, circular in plan, built on the top of a rock in order to serve as a lookout.

The church preserves icons of the 17th and 18th centuries and fine woodcarvings.

THE VENETIAN FORTRESS OF ZAKYNTHOS
The Venetian fortress is situated in the place where written sources locate the wall of the ancient acropolis (Psophidas). The strong earthquakes that have frequently struck the island destroyed the fortifications so often that they had constantly to be rebuilt.

The construction of the walls and the Fortress defensive system, which are preserved, was completed in 1646 when the "proveditor general da mar" was Io. Bapt. Grimani. The work was done by Venetian engineers and local builders, with great care and strong materials. At that same time the main stone-paved road was laid down, running to the coast. This was the Strada Giustiniana, the Sartzada as it was known in more recent times. An important programme of conservation and repair of the walls and the buildings of the Fortress, together with work on the water-supply and drainage systems, was carried out by the English in 1812 while they were in control of the island.

In 1970-71, the Archaeological Service undertook the consolidation of those sections of the walls and gates of the Fortress which were in danger of collapsing. As a result of excavations which began in 1984 and are continuing, many churches, datable from the 11th to the 18th centuries, have been discovered. Found in addition are other buildings, a sophisticated system for gathering rain-water (pipes, cisterns, etc.) as well as drainage pipes. Most significant, however, is the archaeological material which dates from prehistoric to post-Byzantine times, thus giving special importance to the place.

Did you know Zante is home of the worlds biggest Greek flag?

Learn more about this @ www.theflag.gr