The Museums of Zante

In order to appreciate the museums of Zante, one has to understand a little of the wild and crazy history of the island. Like most of the Greek islands, Zante has experienced successive waves of foreign conquest. Once an independent democracy, Zante was ruled from 150 BC on by first the Romans, and then by the succeeding Byzantine empire. In 1185, Zante fell to Frankish invaders taking part in the Third Crusade and remained under Neapolitan and then Venetian rule until 1797.

Zante was thus one of the few Ionian islands to almost completely escape Ottoman Turk control. In the early 19th century, Zante was briefly tossed back and forth from the French to the Turks, before coming under British administration, which lasted until Zante joined Greece in 1864.

The people of Zante held on stubbornly to their language and religion through centuries of foreign influence, but the island's marvelous mixed architectural heritage was largely destroyed by the massive earthquake of 1953, which left only a handful of buildings standing in its wake. Fortunately, many artefacts remained and can be seen today in the museums of Zante.

For a fascinating look at Zante's Byzantine heritage, one should visit the Byzantine museum (more info on Zante Museams) of Zakynthos in Solomos Square. The museum contains an extensive collection of icons, carved iconostases, frescos, and sculpture. The museum is open daily from 08.30 to 15.00, except on Mondays. Solomos Square is also notable for its statue of the Greek national poet Dionysios Solomos, a native of Zante.

There is also a large bust of Ugo Foscolo, the famous Italian poet and revolutionary, who was born in Zante in 1778, and who bears a striking similarity to Lord Byron (more info on Places to See in Zante).

Zante Museum View

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Zante Museum View

zante postcards 2008

Pallas Hotel Photo Album Laganas Zante

If you want to learn more about Zante's literary heritage, a visit to the museum of Solomos and Kalvos in St. Markos Square in Zakynthos is in order. This museum contains the mausoleums of both poets as well as manuscripts and a gorgeous collection of clothing and weaponry belonging to the Zakynthian nobility. There is also a portrait gallery. Hours of opening are daily from 09.00 to 14.00.

One of the few buildings in Zakynthos to survive the 1953 earthquake and located close to Solomos Square is the Roma mansion. Built in 1660 by the British vice-consul, the Roma mansion is open daily to the public from 10.00 to 14.00 and from 19.00 to 21.00.

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Written by Anna James in Museums

Originally Creted 06 November 2011

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