All about Zakynthos

Guided tour in the historical city centre

The historical city centre is the area defined by the two main squares of the city, Solomos Sq. and St. Mark Sq., where there are scattered open-air sculptures. The application will include photographs of the sculptures, with information about the artists and the date of their artwork and placement, as well as illustrative material from their pre-earthquake position. Information will also be given on the pre-earthquake theatre of Foskolos, the work of the Danish architect Ernst Ziller (1837-1923), the restored church of Agios Nikolaos of Molos, and the pre-earthquake temples of Pantokrator and All Saints, which dominated the area for the size and importance of their treasures. Photographs from images of the earthquake will also be included, showing these monuments demolished. 

On the square of Agios Markos information will be given, in addition to the Church of Agios Markos and the Temple of the Pantocrator (location of the current Museum of Solomos & Eminent Zakynthians), on the Municipal Clock, the Botega Komutu/later the popular Tavern of Melita, the Romian Casino - Club "Zakynthos" and there will be a reference to the Bookstore of Thomas and the barber shop of N. Tsakasianos.

Moving southwest, we cross Platyphoros (Avenue of Democracy), in which, before the earthquake, on the left, the church of All Saints (today's monument of Hostages’ Occupation), with the bust of Maitland, the open-air cinema LOUX (today's location of XENIA), and on the right, the barbershop of Patrikio (today's monument of the Hung people by the Germans - Avant Gard cafe), the café - pastry shop TOURIST, the Monte Building: the Pawnshop and Archives (today's Labor Center). The back side of Monte was bordered by a plateau where the Krov Mansion was located, where until ’53 the Gymnasium of Zakynthos was housed. At the end of Platyphorus the cafe of GOLDEN ALEKTOR. There were houses between them before the earthquakes.

At the end of the road is the Theatre of Ziller, on Solomos Square. Following the theatre was the Club "Lombardos", next to the church of Agios Nikolaos of Molos, opposite the Town Hall and the National Bank.

On the west side of Solomos Square after the GOLDEN ALEKTOR CAFE: the Banks: Commercial and Athenian (current Museum of Zakynthos). In front of the Banks' buildings there was a fountain with a cupid, the dying Gaul and the brass bust of Hugo Foskolou.`

On the square the statue of D. Solomos and around the perimeter the busts of P. Carrer, Konstantinos Lombardos, Georg. Tertseti and Alex. Roma. (Today there is only the bust of Carrer in the Square behind the small amphitheatre. The busts of Lombard and Roma are in front of the Regional Unit building. Tertsettis’ bust is at the courthouse). At the end of Solomos Square, opposite the square, there is the small triangular square with the Column of the Fallen.

After the earthquake in Solomos Square was placed the Eleftheria of Georgios Kastriotis and on both sides the Monument of the National Resistance and the Column of the Battle of Nafpaktos.

Behind the current Cultural Centre, built on the site of the Theatre and the Lombardian Casino, the bust of A. Vezal and the Anatomy Course for Vezal.