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Zakynthos
Position, Land and Climate
Zakynthos
is the southernmost and third largest in both size and
population of the Ionian Islands. It is situated 8,5
nautical miles south of Kefalonia, 9,5 nautical milew west
of the Peloponese and approximately 300 kilometres west of
the capital of Greece, Athens.
Its geographical position ensures easy travel to the other
islands and even the mainland of Greece. A short journey
across the Peloponese brings one to the ancient city of
Olympia, the birthplace and original venue of the Olympic
Games. Due to the islands location, it is an ideal base to
link up to the larger cities of Greece such as Patras,
Athens and Thesaloniki.
An island full of contrasts, Zakynthos consists of mainly
woodland, with an abundance of pine tree covered mountains
and fertile plains.
In the north, east and south numerous picturesque beaches
can be found, whereas in the west the imposing, rocky
landscape has a number of sea caves such as the famous Blue
Caves on the north-west of the island.
The climate in Zakynthos is mild mediterranean with both
heavy rainfall during the winter monthw and brilliant
sunshine in the summer. The rich vegetation is probably due
to this, and has resulted in the nicknames of Fior di
Levante (Flower of the East) and Iliessa (full of woods) by
the Venetians and Omiros respectively.
It is productive island agriculturally, supported mainly by
the cultivation of olives, raisins, citrus fruits. Apart
from this, the main source of local income is from the
recently developed business of tourism. The island has a
wealth of history as for many centuries it was the
crossroads for numerous nations and cultures.
The
Town of Zakynthos
Zakynthos
is the capital and port of the island, located at the foot
of Bochali hill. It is a modern city, built after the old
one was destroyed in the earthquake of 1953, a town that is
constantly expanding toward the interior of the island owing
to the great number of activities that have sprung up in
recent years. Some of the sites worth visiting are: the
monastery of Agios Dionysios where the holy remains of the
saint are preserved; its interesting museums; the squares of
Agios Markos and Dionysios Solomos; the shopping centre on
Alex. Roma street and the coast road; Kon. Lombardou street
or Strata Marina (as the local people call it), as well as a
number of old churches that were either preserved or
restored after the earthquake in 1953. Bochali, the district
around the Castro, charms us with its quiet lanes and old
houses, its flower-bedecked countryards and elegant tavernas
in which old zakynthian music is played.
Also of interest are the two hills: Strani, where Dionysios
Solomos was inspired to write the "Ode to Liberty" which
after being set to music, became the Greek national anthem;
and Bochali, as mentioned earlier; on top of which is the
Venetian Castro, with its superb panoramic view of the
modern town of Zakynthos and the Ionian sea. The briefest
stroll along the streets of the town is enough to convince
the visitor that the efforts to preserve the pre-seismic
Zakynthian atmosphere are not directed to the buildings
alone but to its entire urban fabric. In Zakynthos
everything is steeped in nostalgia, with a note of
romanticism. The island's picturesque squares, Dionysios
Solomos Square and Agios Markos Square, the long coast road,
the Strata Marina, old Rougas Square and the modern
Alexandrou Roma street, are all reminiscent of times past. |
