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The Ionoian Islands are an island group located in the Ionian and Mediterreanan Seas west of the Greek mainland and make up one of the six major geographical regions of Greece. They stretch south from the Albanian coast to the southern tip of the Peloponnese, and are often called Heptanesos ("Seven Islands"). The islands are Corfu (Kerkira), Cephalonia (Kefallonia), Zacynthus (Zakinthos, Zante), Leucas (Levkas), Ithaca (Ithaki), Cythera (Kíthira), and Paxos (Paxoí), with their minor dependencies. Each of the islands has its own destinct attractions of their own. The best known island is Corfu. Corfu today charms the tourist with two historic forts, narrow streets, tall houses, arcades, a Venetian-built Town Hall, the Saint Spyridon church (dedicated to the island's patron saint), flower-filled gardens, and balconies with beautiful wrought-iron fences. This small island is a kind of paradise on Earth. From Paleokastritsa to Kanoni, from the Achillion to Pontikonissi and the northern coast, the visitor finds crystal clear water, scenic coves, greenery and vegetation that falls into the deep blue sea.
The best known Ionian island is Corfu. The island has fascinating history dating back to ancient times. It also played a role in World War I. Corfu today is aopular tourist destination. The Island charms the tourist with two historic forts, narrow streets, tall houses, arcades, a Venetian-built Town Hall, the Saint Spyridon church (dedicated to the island's patron saint), flower-filled gardens, and balconies with beautiful wrought-iron fences. This small island is a kind of paradise on Earth. From Paleokastritsa to Kanoni, from the Achillion to Pontikonissi and the northern coast, the visitor finds crystal clear water, scenic coves, greenery and vegetation that falls into the deep blue sea.
Zakynthos is the third largest of the Ionian Islands and is now a popular tourist destination. . The major town is also known as Zakynthos, commonly called Chora (the Town). The first historical mention of the island is by Homer in The the Iliad and the Odyssey He described the first inhabitants as led by the son of King Dardanos of Troy-- Zakynthos. Names ending in -nthos are pre-Mycenaean (Pelasgian) in origin. The island was then conquered by King Arkeisios of Kefalonia. After the fall of Troy, Ulysses of Ithaca conquered the island. Zakynthos became an independent city state and maintained its independence for over 650 years. Athenian military commander Tolmides negotiatedan an alliance with Zacynthus during the Peloponnesian Wars (5th century BC). Athens was interested in Zakynthos because it was a source of tar, a substance needed by the Athenian fleet as it could be used to protect ship hulls from rot. The subsequent history of Zakynthos is basically that of the Ionian Islands as a whole. After the German conquest of Greece, they occupied the Ionian Islands as well. Mayor Karrer and Bishop Chrysostomos of Zakynthos refused NAZI demands to prepare a list of the town's Jews. The NAZIs were preparing to round them up and deport them to the death camps. There were about 275v Jews in the town. Karrer and Chrysostomos secretly moved the Jews into the countryside where they were hidden with familes. Miraculously they all survived. We are not sure how strongly the German commanddr pushed the issue. Statues now honor the Bishop and the Mayor on the site of the town's historic synagogue which was totally destroyed in the 1953 earthquake of 1953. After the war, the town'sJews moved to Israel or Athens.
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