Description of the attraction
The Dionysios Solomos Museum is one of the main attractions of the eponymous capital of the Greek island of Zakynthos. The full official name of the museum is "Museum of Dionysios Solomos and the Famous Natives of Zakynthos".
The idea of creating a museum named after Solomos, known as the author of the Hymn to Freedom (1823), which became the National Anthem of Greece, appeared at the beginning of the 20th century after the poet's manuscripts were donated to the administration of the city of Zakynthos. The manuscripts and personal belongings of Solomos later became the basis of the museum collection.
The Solomos Museum is housed in a beautiful two-story neoclassical mansion in St. Mark's Square. Construction of the building for the museum began only in the 1950s, after the devastating earthquake of 1953, which led to catastrophic consequences. The land for construction was specially allocated by the Cathedral of Zakynthos. The museum was built with financial support from the state, as well as funds from public organizations and individuals. In 1966, the museum finally opened its doors to visitors. In the 1990s, a large-scale reconstruction of the museum was carried out.
The collection of the museum perfectly illustrates the history and development of culture on the island of Zakynthos. In the exposition of the museum you can see icons of the Cretan and Cretan-Ionic icon-painting schools (17-18 centuries), portraits of prominent Zakynthians (17-20 centuries), sculpture, ceramics, an impressive collection of photographs and coats of arms, coins, antique furniture, musical instruments, engravings and more. The museum has an excellent library and an impressive archive with important historical documents and unique manuscripts of such prominent personalities as D. Solomos, D. Romas, N. Mantzaros, E. Luntzis, G. Xenopolous, A. Matesis, etc.
On the first floor of the museum there is a mausoleum where the remains of Dionysios Solomos, as well as the famous Greek poet Andreas Kalvos and his wife, are buried.
