All about Zakynthos

A guided tour of South Zakynthos.

 After passing the church of Agia Aikaterini of Sinai we head right to the area of Kallitero where the church of Agios Lipios, another church of Agia Aikaterini and the Metochion of Agios Dionysios, beloved walk of Dion. Solomou, where he was inspired to write "Woman of Zakynthos".

Ending in Kalamaki, we come across Gypsolithos, where a battle took place on September 30, 1821 between Turks and locals, who struck the persecuted Algerian ship by Greek warships and then became involved with the British military contingent that sought to help the Turks. As a result of the battle, an English soldier was killed and Officer Wright was wounded. A trial followed and six locals were sentenced to death and then their bodies were exposed to iron cages after they had tarred them. It is reported that Dion. Solomos composed the poem "Trelli Mana" (crazy mother) because he was touched by the mother of the executed fighter Giannis Klavdianos from the village of Fioliti.

Continuing in the bay of Laganas, in the southern part, there was the Monastery of the Franciscans in Kalogerata, where according to tradition the Belgian anatomist Andreas Vezal (1514-1564), returning from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, a castaway, left his last breath.

The two islets of Marathonissi and Pelouzo, which can be seen from there, are known for their natural beauty, but also for the church of Panagia Marathonissiotissa and the tower of Pelouzos, which were built on them.

A little further down in the coastal village of Ag. Sostis is also a private island which can be accessed via a footbridge.

Moving towards the inner part of the area of Kalamaki Bay - Laganas is the village of Pantokratoras and in place of Amygdalia from the early 16th century. On a hill is mentioned the majestic mansion of the Lountzi Sarakina Family. Next to it is the chapel of Agios Ioannis Prodromos, where the family cemetery is also located.

Continuing towards Lithakia and in the center of the village is the Mansion of the Messala Family, which in the years of English rule served as a Court. 

On the way to Keri just outside the village of Lithakia during the Occupation there was a battle between the guerrillas and the Germans on 10.9.1944. and there's a commemorative plaque.

Continuing on to Keri, at the location Abyssos – Kornos (Krounos) there is a glen-chasm where its depth cannot be detected. Nearby there are boreholes, from which the city is supplied.

Herodotus (484 BC-425/410 BC) mentioned the oil springs and petroleum in the lake of Keri since antiquity and it is reported that he himself had visited them in the 5th century BC.

The area ends in steep rocky cliffs with a magnificent sunset view from which the area of Kakavaki stands out, opposite it are two rocks in the sea, Mizithres.

On the way back to the city it is worth visiting the beach in the area of Marathia. Access to the beach is not easy as the road is steep and full of stones but the beach is enchanting.