On Agios Markos Square in Zakynthos Town, this museum brings together the lives of poet Dionysios Solomos, Andreas Kalvos and other notable islanders. See the poets’ tombs, personal belongings, manuscripts, portraits and paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries. At the entrance, a piece of the holly oak associated with Solomos recalls the spot where he is said to have written the poem that became Greece’s national anthem. Allow about 30 minutes for a compact visit focused on Zakynthos’s literary and cultural history.
The poets and their tombs
The museum is dedicated to Dionysios Solomos, the Zakynthian poet who wrote the words of the Greek national anthem, and to Andreas Kalvos, another major poet from the island. Their tombs are part of the museum, alongside the remains of Kalvos’s wife.
At the entrance, look for a piece of the holly oak associated with Strani Hill. Solomos is said to have written beneath the tree there; the poem he composed became the Greek national anthem. The museum connects these literary figures with the island where they lived and worked.
Manuscripts, portraits and island collections
The collection includes manuscripts, personal belongings, portraits and paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries. You can also see objects connected with other prominent Zakynthians, including musical instruments, period furniture, traditional clothing and family flags. Sculptures, pottery and busts are also part of the museum’s holdings.
The displays bring together writers, artists and public figures associated with Zakynthos. Among the people represented are poet Ugo Foscolo, opera composer Paul Karrer and politician Alexandros Romas. The range of personal and historical objects gives the visit a local focus beyond the two poets.
Making sense of the displays
Most of the museum’s information is in Greek. Scan the QR codes for translations as you move through the exhibits. The museum occupies two floors, but access to some areas has at times been restricted, so check which sections are open when you arrive.
The museum is on Agios Markos Square in Zakynthos Town. Its collection is especially relevant if you want to understand the island’s literary history and its notable residents. A visit is brief, so it can fit into a walk around the town without requiring a long stop.
FAQ
Where is the Solomos Museum?
It is on Agios Markos Square in Zakynthos Town.
How long does a visit take?
Allow about 30 minutes.
Is information in English available?
Most museum information is in Greek. QR codes can be scanned for translations.
What can you see at the museum?
The collection includes the tombs of Solomos and Kalvos, manuscripts, personal objects, portraits and paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries.
