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Today only a few traditional buildings and churches are still standing. The new town was built on the ruins of the ancient one in an attempt to preserve the traditional architecture but this was only possible in a few areas, like the spacious Solomos Square, due to great poverty the disasters of the earthquake caused above the population.
The long waterfront extending between the Solomos Square (on its right) and the Church of Agios Dionysios, saint patron of the island (on its left) is the most popular and crowded place of Zakynthos, gathering many restaurants, tourist shops and ferry agencies.
All the commercial and cultural life of the island is concentrated on the third parallel street of the waterfront. Solomos Square (Plateia in Greek) is a large square boarded by some elegantly arcaded buildings. The square was given the name of the famous Greek poet Dionysios Solomos who wrote the Greek National Hymn. A museum has been founded in honour of the life and work of the poet, and is located close to the Plateia (square) Agiou Markou.
The capital of Zakynthos also has a Museum of post-Byzantine art which stands on the Plateia Solomos, as well as a museum dedicated to the life and work of the Greek novelist and play writer Grigorios Xenopoulos, located close to the Church of Agios Dionysios.
This impressive church stands on the left end of the waterfront and is devoted to the saint patron of Zakynthos whose corpse is kept there, in a silver carved reliquary. The church also houses some beautiful and valuable wall paintings.
Another very interesting church of the town is the Church of Agios Nikolas tou Molou, located on the waterfront.
A Venetian fortress used to rise over the capital but today only the gate and the outer walls are still standing. However, the view over Zakynthos Town and its surroundings from this spot is astonishing.
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 Our Impressions: |
The main town wraps around the coast line for a considerable distance. At the heart of the town is Solomos Square. It is here that you find the excellent Byzantine museum and it is the most picturesque area of the town. There are plenty of places to eat and drink outside here by the rolling arcade style streets. Next to the water sits St Nikolas church. It is quite plain compared to some of the islands ornate churches but adds a nice touch to the area. A short walk from here is Agiou Markou square which is a smaller square where the bright white buildings are striking and three of the sides are full of cafes. Alexandra Roma is the main place for shops in town and lies back a bit from the waterfront. The port lies on the south side of the town on a busy street often clogged up with people making their way to and from the island’s beaches. It is next to the port that the church of Agios Dionsysos stands.
Aside from the town’s two nice squares and churches there is not a lot of interest here. The earthquake destroyed a lot of the town’s best architecture and it is has been replaced with some pretty standard building. It is good place to get about from with regular buses and boats but there is no reason to stay in the main town too long. |
| Useful Info: |
- Where to eat/drink: Many restaurants are available in all the village of Zakynthos Town
- Shops/Minimarket: Many
- Telephone: Many and at the Ote (Telephone center), opposite Byzantine Museum
- Transportation: Central bus station is located to the north, just off waterfront and taxis on the port |
| Useful Adresses: |
- Post Office: Just west of Alexandorou Roma
- Olympic Airways: On Alexandorou Roma
- Changing money, banks, Cash Machines: Quite a few in town with a large Alpha Bank on Agiou Markou
- Pharmacies: Alexandorou Roma
- Medical emergencies: Hospital is just to the west of town.
- Washing machines: Lombardou, near port.
- Luggage-storage: Lombardou, near port.
- International Press: Many outlets next to Solomos Square
- Internet café: There is one next to the bus station
- Garage/gas station: Follow road towards Vasilikos |
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