The bell tower
A square stone tower, among the oldest standing on the island.
**The monastery that survived the earthquake** โ among the oldest standing buildings on Zakynthos, in the island's northwest on the road to Navagio. It dates from the **15th century**, which is remarkable on an island where **the 1953 earthquake erased most of the built past**. It held because it is low and thickly built, and because it stands well away from the town. It is best known as the house of **St Dionysios**, Zakynthos's patron, who lived here as a monk. A story told at the site and known to islanders has a man take refuge with him after killing someone, **and the saint sheltered and hid him** โ only for it to emerge that the man killed was **the saint's own brother**, and that he forgave and concealed him even so. The monastery has a square stone **bell tower**, a small courtyard, a frescoed church, and the icon of the Virgin from which it takes its name. โ It is **very small and quiet**: half an hour is enough, and its value is its age and its story rather than its scale.
A square stone tower, among the oldest standing on the island.
A small quiet yard with pots and shade, away from the coastal crowds.
The room associated with Dionysios, Zakynthos's patron.
Anafonitria, 29091 Zakynthos, Greece
**The island's patron, and more present in daily life than a visitor expects.** โ **Who he was**: a 16th-century Zakynthian monk who became a bishop, then withdrew and lived at **Anafonitria Monastery** here. He is buried in the **church of St Dionysios** in the town, its largest and most important. โ **His best-known story** is the forgiveness account told at this monastery: he sheltered a fugitive killer and hid him, then learned the dead man was his own brother โ and concealed him even so. That is the story that made him, in local consciousness, **the saint of mercy**. โ **His presence today**: **"Dionysios" is among the commonest men's names on the island**, and **his feast on 24 August** closes the town's streets with a great procession carrying his reliquary. โ **As a visitor**: if you coincide with the feast, expect **very heavy crowds** and road closures โ an extraordinary experience if you want it, and a considerable disruption if you did not know it was happening.
**One driving loop takes in everything without doubling back โ and it is the best way to spend a day on Zakynthos.** โ **The order**: leave **early** and head north to **Cape Skinari** for the first boat to the **Blue Caves** (the colour is at its peak before 10). Then go west and south to the village of **Volimes** (rugs, honey, local cheese and a cafรฉ), then **Anafonitria Monastery** (half an hour), then the **Navagio viewpoint** if it is open โ **check its status first**. โ Then drop down to **Porto Vromi** for a short boat to **Navagio beach** in the afternoon. โ **Or move the beach to the next day** if you want the first boat there too. โ **This needs a car**: the northwestern roads are winding mountain roads and the buses do not practically serve them. โ **Carry water and food** โ facilities between stops are sparse.
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