Zákynthos

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developed into a trading and seafaring town the influence of which extended as far as the Iberian peninsula, where it founded the colony of Zakantha, later known as Saguntum. In 455 B.C. the Athenian admiral Tolmides made the island a dependency of Athens. After the Peloponnesian War it became a member of the Attic maritime league. In 217 B.C. it was conquered by the Macedonians, in 191 B.C. by the Romans.

After being devastated by the Vandals it was captured by the Normans, and later was ruled by Frankish dynasts. It was occupied by the Turks in 1479 but recovered two years later by the Venetians, who held it until 1797. Thereafter it shared the fortunes of the other Ionian Islands.

From its long period of association with Venice the island has preserved an Italian and Venetian stamp. It was the birthplace of the Italian poet Ugo Foscolo (1778-1827) and the Greek poets Dionysios Solomos (1798-1857), author of the Greek national anthem, and Andreas Kalvos (1792-1869).

As a result of the devastations suffered in the course of an eventful history and of severe earthquake damage (particularly in 1515 and 1953) Zákynthos has preserved few old buildings.

Airport 6km/4mi south of Zákynthos town.

The Feast of St Dionysios, the island's patron saint is celebrated on August 24.