The Ionian island of Zante (also called Zakynthos) has been
colourfully billed as 'the green island of poetry, song and love',
mainly because it was the home of Dionysios Solomos, who wrote the
Greek national anthem, 'The Hymn to Liberty'. Arriving in Zante by
ferry is certainly a poetic experience. The picturesque town curves
around a bay dominated by a Venetian Fortress and the St Dennis
Cathedral. Zakinthos town is reminiscent of Venice with its
historic St Mark's Square and Solomos Square, lined by
reconstructed neoclassical buildings. The Solomos mausoleum is also
a museum dedicated to the island's aristocracy of bygone days,
while the Byzantine Museum sports splendid icons and frescoes
salvaged from the island's beautiful medieval churches, destroyed
in the massive earthquake of 1953. The main attraction for
visitors, however, is the triangular shaped island's 57 miles
(92km) of coastline, particularly on the eastern and southern
flanks, which are blessed with beautiful bays. Favourites are the
white sandy beaches of Lagana and Geraka, also renowned for being
the nesting grounds of the Caretta-Caretta sea turtles. Inland the
mountain villages lure holidaymakers away from the beach to sample
some local hospitality, good food and wine and explore monasteries
tucked away among the greenery. Tourism has become the main income
earner for this popular resort island but the rapid development of
infrastructure in recent years has not depleted its traditional
charm. Zante remains pleasantly poetic.
