Venetian Castle of Bochalis #1279

Description

The exact date of the castle’s initial construction by the Venetians is unclear, but it is believed to have been around 1480, shortly after they took control of the island. During Venetian rule, the castle served as the capital of Zakynthos.

Not long after its construction, the castle was destroyed by Turkish invaders. In 1514, the Venetians repaired it, but the frequent earthquakes that struck Zakynthos repeatedly damaged the fortifications, requiring constant rebuilding. The castle’s defensive walls, which remain today, were completed in 1646 under the direction of proeditor general da mar Iohannem Battista Grimani.

While Zakynthos was under British control, an extensive conservation program was undertaken in 1812, during which the sewage and water supply systems were constructed.

Recent excavations at the Venetian Castle have uncovered Byzantine-era monuments, including a church dating back to the 12th century.