Zakynthos Castle
Venetian castle on the pine-covered hill of Bochali, with vaulted prisons, powder magazines and the ruins of six churches.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Castle of Zakynthos, also known as the Castle of Bochali, stands at the top of a pine-covered hill two kilometres from the modern town of the island. It was built on the ruins of the ancient acropolis (Psofida), and it is assumed that the Byzantines also fortified it.
The main fortification, parts of which survive today, is mainly due to the Venetians, who rebuilt the fortress at the end of the 15th century, after its total destruction by the Turks in 1479. The walls were completed in 1646 and enclosed the island’s capital; at the same time the cobbled road to the shore, the Strada Giustiniana or Sartzada, was created. After the fall of Venice in 1797 and until the union of the Ionian Islands with Greece in 1864, French, Russo-Turks and English passed through the castle.
The stone vaulted prisons and the Venetian powder magazines survive, as do the governor’s office, the barracks and the sports ground of the British period. Excavations have brought to light the ruins of six churches from the 12th to the 17th century, the most important being the Byzantine church of the Saviour (San Salvatore) of the 12th century. The walls remain almost intact in many places, despite the destructive earthquakes that struck them over the centuries.
Highlights
- Stone vaulted prisons and Venetian powder magazines
- Byzantine church of the Saviour (San Salvatore) of the 12th century
- Governor’s office, barracks and sports ground of the British period
- Almost intact walls on a pine-covered hill
- Operated by
- Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού – Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Ζακύνθου
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3 |
Free admission: 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October and the first and third Sunday of each month from 1 November to 31 March.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
The castle is 38 minutes on foot from the central square of the city (Solomou Square) and 7 minutes by car.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The site has toilets and a car park.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
