ZAKYNTHOS, A JEWEL OF THE IONIAN SEA
Zakynthos is one of the largest islands in the southern Ionian Sea. It lies only 1 hour from Cephalonia and the Peloponnese. Favoured by its geographical position, it is easy for the visitor to get to know the other Ionian Islands from here or go across to the mainland, to ancient Olympia or even to Athens, 5 hours away.
An island full of contrasts, Zakynthos is for the most part mountainous with hills and fertile plains. Its mountains are pine-covered while its plains are dotted with olive and citrus groves or vineyards. It has countless sandy beaches as well as an impressive rocky coastline. Many marine caves have been formed there such as the marvellous Galazia Spilia (Blue Cave) in the northwest part of the island. Zakynthos has a mild Mediterranean climate suitable for year round holidays. It is dry and cool in August with an average high of 27 degrees Celsius.
Showing a particular sensitivity in regard to their environment, the people of Zakynthos have kept large areas of the island as they were with the aim of protecting and preserving rare kinds of marine fauna and the creation of marine parks. The well-known Mediterranean Sea turtle, Caretta-Caretta, which has used the southern shores of Zakynthos for millions of years as a place to lay its eggs, has found a safe refuge at protected sand beaches. The same is true for a type of rare seals, the Monachus Monachus (monk seal) found on the southwest coasts of Zakynthos. Indicting their respect for the environment, the inhabitants of the island have taken care not to disturb its fragile ecosystem. The modern settlements and the tourist installations, built in keeping with the traditional colour of the island, are in harmony with nature. To the point that every visitor to the island can enjoy modern comforts and service in natural and cultured surroundings. 
Zakynthos is truly an island that to know is to love. Most of the 44 villages on Zakynthos have been developed but not at the expense of their traditional colour. Tourism has only gradually expanded and the inhabitant's sensitivity to their environment has kept enormous complexes from overwhelming the island's natural beauties. Here you will find medium and small-sized hotel units for every purse, which offer not only all modern comforts but also service which have been transformed into genuine hospitality.
History:
The oldest findings of bone fossils in the bay of Laganas are from the Palaeolithic era.
According of Homer, the first inhabitant of the island was Prince Zakynthos, the son of King Dardanos of Troy, who arrived here between 1500 and 1600 B.C. Thereafter, the island was inhabited by the Arcadians, whose culture developed through the exploitation of the fertile soil. They went on to found colonies (the well-known Zakantha in Spain, whose culture flourished for more than a thousand years, until 218 BC when it was destroyed by Annivas). Another colony was also Kodonies in Crete.
Afterwards, Zakynthos was conquered by King Arkisos of Cephalonia and was subsequently reconquered by the famous Ulysses. Upon Ulysses return to Ithaca and with Neoptolemos' mediation, a treaty was signed granting autonomy and democracy on the island, the first in the Hellenic area.
In the 6th century BC, silver currency was initiated, which depicts Apollon three-legged. At the beginning of the Persian War Zakynthos remained neutral, but in the battle of Plataies it took part against the Persians, and they beat them back to Asia. 
From 455 B.C. Zakynthos was allied with the Athenians and with Corfu, and faced together the Corinthians. After the defeat of the Athenians in Cicily, Zakynthos was conquered by the Lacdaimonias (Sparta), who imposed an oligarchic regime. Later on, the inhabitants rebelled and re-established democracy.
During the Macedonian War, the island was occupied by the Macedonians, and afterwards by the Romans. After the first years under the command of a Roman governor, the island was granted the right to be governed by its own laws, have its own municipality, parliament, legislature, and currency with a local symbol. This era contributed to a great cultural development on Zakynthos.
In 34 A.D. Maria Magdalena and Maria Klopa, on their way to Rome, brought Christianity to the island and the name of the village Maries is a proof of this fact. Every year there is a great ceremony and feast to commemorate this event.
Constantine the Great, during the Byzantine era, included Zakynthos in the province of Illyria. During this time the island suffered from pirates and, later on, also from the Crusaders, passing from the East to the West.
In 1084, the island was occupied by the Venetians; and from the end of the 12th century until 1357, by the French.
In 1357, the De Toki dynasty settled on the island. They contributed to administrative and economic organization, which resulted in an important growth and development of Zakynthos until the Turks attacked and the people had to escape from the island to the Peloponnesian mainland.
In 1485, the Venetians occupied the island again and called back the inhabitants to their fields and homes. In the famous Libro d`Oro are recorded the names of the Venetian nobility. The island developed, and the city was reconstructed in an impressive architectural style. From these times on, Zakynthos was named the Florence of Greece. Separation of the population into "nobili", "civili" and "popolari" took place. The popolari rebelled against the nobili. The revolution is also well known as the "rebellion of the popolari".
With the French Revolution in 1789 the Zakynthians brought the ideals of social equity and justice on the island. On July 4, 1797, the French democratic flag was raised on the castle of Zakynthos. Dicrimination was abolished and schools for all children were established.
In October 1798, the Turkish fleet besieged Zakynthos. On March 21, 1800, a treaty between Turkey and Russia was signed. This contract established the first independent Greek State of the Seven Islands and was effective for seven years.
In 1809, the British fleet occupied Zakynthos, and Zakynthos then became the titular capital of the Ionian State.
At the same time, the rest of Greece was under Turkish occupation. With a base in Zakynthos, the Philiki Etairia (Company of Friends) promoted the rebellion against the Turks.
In 1830, Greece became independent. Then in 1851, a member of Parliament Ioannis Typaldos Kapelatos suggested the union of the Seven Islands with Greece. The British reacted violently, but the Zakynthians under leadership of Constantine Lamvardos carried on the struggle for the union with Greece. Finally, on May 21 in 1864, the Greek flag was raised on the island..
During World War II, the Italians and the Germans occupied Zakynthos until its liberation on September 12, 1944.
The big earthquake in 1953, together with a seven-day firestorm, destroyed most of the monuments of cultural development on the island and the few still remaining give only a slight hint of its glorious past. In the Museum, you can see the miniature of the town before the earthquake.
Limni Keriu lies to the south, 20 kilometres from Zakynthos-town, in the island's most fertile valley, among olive groves and vineyards. A cosmopolitan place with rooms to rent, camping and a little nightlife, it is suitable for both pleasure-loving visitors and for quiet family holidays.
The sea turtle Caretta Caretta can be found in the extensive Bay of Laganas. Also to be found on the beach at Limni Keriu is Diving Center Turtle beach. The owner of this dive centre, Timotheos Karmiris, has been active for years in and around scuba diving. In the beginning of 1997 he opened Diving Center Turtle Beach that immediately turned into a success. Zakynthos is being discovered more and more amongst scuba divers and the demand for a good dive centre was getting bigger. Together with a professional and enthusiastic team, Diving Center Turtle Beach quickly gained its good reputation.
Diving Center Turtle Beach
Owner: Timotheos Karmiris
Limni Keriu Zakynthos
Greece
| INFORMATION & RESERVATIONS: | |
| Diving Center Turtle Beach Zakynthos - Limni Keriou Greece Tel./Fax: +30 26950 49424 Mobile: +30 6944 375597 E-mail: karmiris@acn.gr |
 |
| ©2005 All rights reserved | Zante | web.gr | - | Zakynthos |
