Listed 12 sub titles with search on: Sights for destination: "ZAKYNTHOS Town IONIAN ISLANDS".
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The Venetian fortress is situated in the place where written sources locate the
wall of the ancient acropolis (Psophidas). The strong earthquakes that have frequently
struck the island destroyed the fortifications so often that they had constantly
to be rebuilt.
The construction of the walls and the Fortress defensive system,
which are preserved, was completed in 1646 when the "proveditor general da mar"
was Io. Bapt. Grimani. The work was done by Venetian engineers and local builders,
with great care and strong materials. At that same time the main stone-paved road
was laid down, running to the coast. This was the Strada Giustiniana, the Sartzada
as it was known in more recent times. An important programme of conservation and
repair of the walls and the buildings of the Fortress, together with work on the
water-supply and drainage systems, was carried out by the English in 1812 while
they were in control of the island.
In 1970-71, the Archaeological Service undertook the consolidation
of those sections of the walls and gates of the Fortress which were in danger
of collapsing. As a result of excavations which began in 1984 and are continuing,
many churches, datable from the 11th to the 18th centuries, have been discovered.
Found in addition are other buildings, a sophisticated system for gathering rain-water
(pipes, cisterns, etc.) as well as drainage pipes. Most significant, however,
is the archaeological material which dates from prehistoric to post-Byzantine
times, thus giving special importance to the place.
The visible monuments found during the course of recent excavations
are datable from the Byzantine period down to the time of the English occupation.
a. Sotera or Pantocrator or "Domo" or San Salvatore (Byzantine Church of the 12th century).
b. St. Frangiskos (St. Francis), three aisled basilica of the 14th century.
c. St. Varvara (St. Barbara), a single-aisled basilica.
d. St. Ioannes Prodromos (St. John the Baptist), enf of the 15th century.
e. Church of the Hyperayia Theotokos (Virgin) Laourentaina.
f. St. Ioannes (St. John) Theologos, 15th century.
g. Venetian prisons
h. Venetian powder-magazine.
i. English OfficersΥ Playing Field.
j. English Barracks
k.Headquarters - barracks.
The Venetian Fortress dominates the landscape at Bohali. It has impressive outer gates with the lions of Saint Mark. Mediaeval Zakynthos was situated inside the fortress. Amid verdant surroundings the visitor can see: the church of the Pantokrator, which was used as cathedral by the Latins, the church of Saint Francis of the 14th century Minorite order, Agia Varbara, a small single-aisle basilica near the Venetian prison and the 15th century church of St. John the Baptist, dedicated to the then patron saint of the island, as well as the surviving section of the churches of St. John the Theologian and of the Panagia Theotokou Lavrentaina.
This text is cited December 2004 from the Ionian Islands Region General Secretariat URL below, which contains image
The Venetian Castle on Bohali Hill. Above the main entranceone may distinguish the Venetian blazon of the lions of St Markos.
Coming from the main jetty at the harbour we meet the largest and newest public
square of Zakynthos town. The statue of the national poet Dionysios Solomos dominates
the square, which in the evenings becomes a place for taking a walk and meeting
friends and acquaintances.
Saint Mark Square (or Platyforos, as it is known to the locals) is the official
public square of Zakynthos. In the past it was the upper class that frequented
the square. It was here, too, that the Popolari burned the Golden Book.
The former is the most important and most central location of Zakynthos. It is a commercial centre with characteristic arcades. To this day it remains a hub of activity serving the needs of both the locals and visitors. Strata Marina is the town's second important street. It starts at Solomos Square and ends at the church of Agios Dionysios. Today it is the street with the most tourist shops. Formerly it was the town's business quarter. The bus station and ticket office are in Strata Marina and in order to explore the island the visitor can of course choose one of the many excursions available. Most travel agencies also have their offices here.
This text is cited December 2004 from the Ionian Islands Region General Secretariat URL below, which contains image
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