Skinaria in Zakynthos: Caves and lighthouse history
Accommodation in Skinaria
About Skinaria
Skinaria lies 28 kilometres southeast of Zakynthos Town and five kilometres east of Ano Volimes. These two distances relate the village to different reference points: Zakynthos Town and Ano Volimes. If you are looking for hotels in Skinaria, this orientation can help you distinguish the village from the sights at Cape Skinari and the places in the wider Volimes area. Regional highlights range from the Blue Caves to history, crafts and art on Zakynthos.
Caves and lighthouse at Cape Skinari
The Blue Caves of Volimes are in the Aspros Vrahos area at Cape Skinari, on the eastern coast of the cape. They are a destination at the cape, not a sight within the settlement of Skinaria. Small boats travel from the port of Agios Nikolaos in Volimes to the caves. If you are planning a boat trip, check locally for current departure times.
The Skinari Lighthouse at the cape adds a historical perspective to the coastline. It began operating in 1897, powered by petroleum. During the Second World War, it remained out of service after its lighting equipment was stolen. In 1945, it resumed operation as a supervised, petroleum-powered lighthouse. It was electrified in 1980 and its petroleum equipment was replaced; it then operated as a supervised electric lighthouse. Its history thus spans its beginnings with petroleum, a wartime interruption and the later switch to electricity.
History and crafts in Volimes
The wider Volimes area has several historical landmarks. Agios Georgios sta Gremna Monastery was founded in 1535. The churches of Agia Paraskevi, Agios Theodosios and Agios Spyridon are in the lower village of Volimes. These location details help distinguish the monastery from the churches in the lower village as separate destinations in the region.
Local production in the municipality of Volimes also offers a glimpse of regional culture. Cheesemakers and home workshops produce the well-known Zakynthian ladotyri. Home workshops also produce wine and honey; locally made goods also include handmade lace and kilims. Sacred sites and the production of food and handicrafts are distinct themes. The information about production refers to Volimes and complements the guide to the sights at the cape.
Zakynthos in the wider context
Across Zakynthos, museums offer further cultural landmarks. The Museum of Zakynthos displays works from the Cretan School, Cretan-Ionian icons and works of Ionian Naturalism dating from the 15th to the 19th century. A mausoleum is located on the ground floor of the Museum of Solomos and Eminent Zakynthians. Since 1968, it has housed the remains of the national poets Andreas Kalvos and Dionysios Solomos. The collection and the mausoleum have different focuses: artistic movements spanning several centuries and the commemoration of two poets.
The port of Agios Nikolaos in Volimes is also a regional landmark. It provides access by sea and connects Zakynthos with Kefalonia by ferry. If this connection matters for your travel plans, check the current timetable.
Discover more destinations: Laganas, Anafonitria, Ampelokipoi, KampĂon, Fiolitis, Mouzaki, Kipseli, VolĂmai.
For the main travel guide: Zakynthos.
