Understand

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Archaeological excavations have proved that Zakynthos was inhabited from the Nealithic Age. The island is first mentioned by the Greek poet and writer Homer. In his masterpieces, the Iliad and the Odyssey, he stated that the first inhabitants of Zakynthos were the son of King Dardanos, Zakynthos (which the island has been named after), of Troy and his men who settled around 1500-1600 BC.

Over the years the island was conquered by King Arkeisios of Kefalonia, and after him Ulysses from Ithaca. Later on Zakynthos became the first indepedent democracy in the Hellenic area, as a treaty was signed and it lasted over 650 years.

In the summer of 1953, Zakynthos was hit by two severe earthquakes, resulting to the total destruction of the islands infrastructure and most of its state archives. The most powerful of those quakes registered 7.3 on the Richter Scale occured on August 12 and was felt throughout almost the entire country. Only three buildings were left marerly standing: the St. Dionysios Cathedral, the National Bank building and the church of St. Nicholas "tou Molou". The rebuilding of the island was subject to a very rigid antiseismic code, and has thus withstood several moderate and powerful earthquakes at a minimal amount of damage, one as late as 2005.

Mining has been common on the island, today however the only activity is two quarries on the mountain range in the western part of the island. A small mountain located on Zakynthos west side was mined during the late 20th-century, though it is no longer in use. Today tourism is the most important source of income and Zakynthos is currently one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece.

Eat

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Traditional agricultural products are olive oil, (thyme) honey, currants, and wine, which can be purchased at road-side stalls or in the villages.

Zakynthos is a growing tourist island, and hence amongst traditional Greek fare one will find Anglicised cuisine. In Laganas, travellers would be more hard-pressed to find baklava than an English-fry up, but there are some very good places to eat Greek cuisine, and at very reasonable prices.

In particular, Mermaids in the resort of Kalamaki serves a good variety of Greek and international cuisine.

If in the Northern part of the island, towards Alikes, do try The Clear Horizon at Amoudi-- these apartments are served by a restaurant with a friendly owner who serves traditional Greek fare-- baklavas, stifado, briam -- at very reasonable prices in large portions, with an unrivalled view of the Ionian sea and Kefalonia rising from the mist in the background.

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