Beneath the beaches and[2] resort towns, Zakynthos has a genuinely deep history — classical mythology, nearly three centuries of Venetian rule, a national anthem written on its shores, and one of the most remarkable stories of protection and courage from the Second World War. Here’s a look at the island’s history beyond the holiday brochure version.
Zakynthos in mythology
Long befor[3]e it was a holiday destination, Zakynthos appears in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. According to mythology, the island was named after Zakynthos, son of the Arcadian chief Dardanus, and is said to have sent ships to fight in the Trojan War — a striking backstory for what’s now one of Greece’s most relaxed island holidays.
Nearly three centuries of Venetian rule
The Republic of Venice ruled Zakynthos from 1479 (some sources say 1484) until 1797 — close to three hundred years of Venetian influence that shaped much of what you’ll see on the island today. Venetian architecture, many local surnames, and even flavours of the local dialect all trace back to this era.
It was during this period that the Venetians gave the island its enduring nickname: “Fiore di Levante” — the Flower of the East — likely inspired by the island’s exceptional greenery and abundant wildflowers, a reputation that still holds today thanks to Zakynthos’ relatively wet winters.
From Venice to modern Greece
After Venetian rule ended, Zakynthos passed briefly through French control, then a period of Russo-Ottoman influence, followed by British rule as part of the United States of the Ionian Islands. The island was finally united with the modern Greek state in 1864, alongside the rest of the Ionian Islands.
The 1953 earthquake and the town’s rebuilding
Much of what you see in Zakynthos Town today is the result of a major mid-20th-century earthquake that struck the Ionian Islands in 1953, causing widespread destruction. The town was largely rebuilt in a style echoing its Venetian-era architecture, which is why the town square and surrounding streets still carry that historic character despite most buildings being considerably newer than they appear.
The island that saved its Jewish community
One of the most significant stories in Zakynthos’ history comes from the Second World War. When occupying forces ordered the island’s Bishop, Chrysostomos, and Mayor, Loukas Karrer, to hand over a list of the island’s Jewish residents, they submitted a list containing just two names — their own. Meanwhile, the island’s Jewish community was hidden across the mountain villages, their whereabouts never revealed.
All 275 Jewish residents of Zakynthos survived the war — one of the very few instances of an entire Jewish community surviving intact in occupied Europe, and a story still remembered with real pride on the island today.
Dionysios Solomos and the Greek national anthem
Zakynthos-born poet Dionysios Solomos wrote the “Hymn to Liberty” in 1823, a poem that would later become the national anthem of Greece. Solomos Square in Zakynthos Town is named in his honour, and his connection to the island remains a significant point of local pride.
The Zante currant: a small but global legacy
Even the island’s agricultural history has left an international mark. The Zante currant — the small, seedless dried grape used in baking around the world — takes its name directly from the island, a reminder of how far Zakynthos’ influence has travelled well beyond its coastline.
Seeing this history for yourself
Much of this history is visible if you know where to look: Zakynthos Town’s rebuilt Venetian-style architecture, Solomos Square, the castle ruins above the town at Bochali, and the quieter mountain villages that once sheltered the island’s Jewish residents during the war. None of it requires a museum ticket — just a slower day exploring beyond the beaches.
If you’d like to build a day around the island’s history — Zakynthos Town, Bochali, and a drive out toward the northern villages — having your own vehicle makes it easy to move between these stops at your own pace. Zaimi Rentals[1] offers cars, scooters, and ATVs with free delivery to your hotel, villa, or the airport anywhere on the island.
Book your car, scooter, or ATV with Zaimi Rentals →
History of Zakynthos: FAQ
Why is Zakynthos also called Zante?
Zante is the Italian/Venetian name for the island, dating from the centuries of Venetian rule, and is still widely used alongside the Greek name Zakynthos today.
How long did Venice rule Zakynthos?
Venice ruled the island from 1479/1484 until 1797 — close to three centuries, which left a lasting mark on the island’s architecture, dialect, and surnames.
What happened to Zakynthos’ Jewish community during WWII?
All 275 Jewish residents survived the war, protected by the island’s Bishop and Mayor, who refused to hand over their names to occupying forces and helped hide the community in mountain villages.
Who was Dionysios Solomos?
A Zakynthos-born poet who wrote the “Hymn to Liberty” in 1823, later adopted as the national anthem of Greece.
When did Zakynthos become part of Greece?
Zakynthos united with the modern Greek state in 1864, along with the rest of the Ionian Islands.
