Zakynthos Town

Zante report and Zante map

Zakynthos Town Zante

ZAKYNTHOS TOWN is the capital of Zante, or Zakynthos island. Much of the town was rebuilt after the 1953 earthquake that destroyed much on the town's Venetian and Byzantine heritage.
Some survived however and much that was rebuilt tried to recreate the architectural heritage so that, although many parts are typical scruffy modern concrete Greek, the town has a pleasant, if stuffy, ambience with many imposing buildings.
Zakynthos Town was once dubbed the 'Venice of the South' and much of the pre-earthquake layout has been preserved on a uniform grid that climbs up the surrounding hills.
Zakynthos Town is the commercial, cultural and administrative centre of Zante and is quite large for a Greek island town with upwards of 30,000 living here. The most notable site in Zakynthos Town is the ruin of a Venetian Fortress built in 1644 on the hill above the town.
The town has several decent museums, most notably the The Museum of Byzantine Art in Solomou Square, the Solomos Museum on Platia Ayiou Markou and the Museum of Zakynthos. Also if note is the main church of St Dionysos, named after the patron saint of Zante, which has an impressive art collection.
The Strata Marina or Marine Street is the main road and the busiest part of the town. It leads to the port were the many daily ferries arrive and depart.
The picturesque harbour has a great setting and it is would be one of the best places to enjoy a coffee or meal in one of the local tavernas were it not for the traffic.
The main beach for Zakynthos Town is to the north. It is long and narrow scrap of shingle and not very attractive but there are parks here and some tennis courts. The beach is often used by locals at weekends.