Zakynthos Sightseeing
Zakynthos Sightseeing
Shipwreck
The beach of the Shipwreck, is perhaps one of the most famous beaches of Greece locate at Zakynthos (Zante) Island.
It tooked its name in the ship that in 1983 transported illegally cigarettes and after it shipwreckd was washed ashore. Its shell still lies there to odorn it.
The landscape is really impressive. Among the high white rocks a white beach lies with deep and spotless waters.
The beach is found near in the village of Anafonitria.
You may access the beach only from the sea with the caique which every day depart from the Harbour of Saint Nikolas in Volimes, or the Porto Vromi, or by making the tour of island with the smal boats and cruise ships. Most of them depart from the harbour of Zakynthos – Zante, and other from the beach of Laganas.
Solomos Square
Dionisios Solomos Square is the central and bigger square in the city and there take place several religious and cultural events & celebrations. Here stands out the statue of our National poet, Dionisios Solomos, nowadays a copy of the original statue, work of the Athenian sculptor Georgios Vroutos.
The square is found in the end of the central port dock and its current form (paving) is post-earthquake. In this area, in the old times, used to be water (sea) , but durng the works for the extension of the city, the area was casted.
In the old times the Square was also called “Port Square” because it was formes by the casting of the area. Around the Square we admire several remarkable buildings which still follow their pre-earthquake form, as well as the church of Saint Nikolaos of the Port.
On the left, stands the Town Hall of Zakynthos Zante and in the south the statue of Ugo Foskolo. More statues in the Square, are those of Pavlos Karer ans the Staue of Freedom.
Bochali
The famous area of Bohalis, is found in the highest point of the city of Zakynthos (Zante). From there the view is astonishing as we can see not only a panoramic view of the city but also other areas of Zakynthos. This area was from the first areas to be tourist developed, since in the old times the Capital of island was a few metres away, inthe Castle.
The great mansions that existed there, have been destroyed, but the residents of the area stll try to maintain the tradition by following the traditional architecture.
In works made in the previous century, finds testify the existence of Pantheons dedicated in the Gods Apollo and Venus.
In the square of Bohalis, dominates the church of Virgin Mary of Hrysopigi with its tall belfry that is visible from every point in the city. Several parts of the Temple were taken from the old church of Virgin Mary of the 16th century that initially was located in the Castle. Inside the church, we admire fretwork temple and the pictures of Virgin Mary that has been covered with silver as her form due to the passing of times had been degraded.
Marathonisi islet
Across the coast of Keri , lies the island of Marathonisi (or else called the island of Marathias), that imposingly jewels the gulf of Laganas.
The island has two reefs, called Pontikonisia, that in the old times were linked to the cape of Marathias.The island has roughly one mile perimeter.
The nature there is pure exotic as the island has no inhabitants.
The sandy beach is spotless and the waters crystal blue.
Apart from the two beaches, with pebbles and with sand, we can admire the rich vegetation, the olive trees, the green oaks and pines, the sprouts and a lot of marathos from where the island tooked its name.
In the north-west of the island, tall bluffs are raised. In the long gold sandy beach that unfolds like a tongue in the sea, the turtles Caretta-Caretta make their nests. The Guards of the National Marine Park, stay there on a permanent basisin order to protect the island, the turtles and their eggs.
In the steep coast with the pebbles, we admire the two small marine caves which we can visit either swimming or with the small kaikia.
You may viit the Island only during the daylight by renting a small boat fom the beach of Keri, or with the Caiques that go there every day.
The island is virgin, and no shops are found there, therefore take care to carry with you water and other supplies if you intend to stay there for the day.