Museum and residence of the Romas family - Zakynthos island
The residence of the Romas family, which has influenced the social and political life of Zakynthos since the 16th century, has been transformed into a museum and a living example of the rich lifestyle of the aristocracy of the time. The seat of the Romas family is located in the capital of Zakynthos.
The sprawling family mansion was built in the 1760s by Robert John Geoffrey, English multiconsul in Zakynthos, and during the period of English protection (between 1816 and 1864) the castle was used as the seat of the English governor and seat of government in Zakynthos. In the 1880s, the house was bought by Alexander Romas, the Prime Minister and Speaker of the Greek Parliament, and has remained in the ownership of his family ever since. The Romas family was one of the leading aristocratic families on the island of Zakynthos.
Alexander Romas is one of the outstanding figures of modern Greek political and military history, he was a fighter in the struggle for the liberation of Ioannina (the military unit of the "Greek Red Shirts") and also became the Speaker of the Greek Parliament.
The very strong earthquake that struck the island of Zakynthos in 1953, which together with the subsequent huge fires destroyed almost the entire capital, also damaged the Romas family residence very seriously. Thanks to considerable financial resources and the great efforts of one of the descendants of the Romas family, Dionysios Romas and his wife Maria, the family mansion was restored. Compared to the original mansion, however, the new building was smaller (one floor lower, smaller side wings, no stables, etc.). The house, which includes a small chapel, for example, has a direct view of the sea and once had private access to the beach.
Family members decided to open the Romas mansion to the public so that they could better understand the history and culture of the island before the great earthquake of the mid-20th century through the preserved objects. The interior of the mansion breathes the elegance and lavish lifestyle of the Zakynthos aristocracy of the time; visitors can see beautiful furniture, family portraits, military uniforms, weapons, leather-bound books and other historical objects. Unfortunately, the mansion is currently no longer open to the public.
The Romas family residence stands in the capital of Zakynthos, about 400 m north along the coast from Solomos Square and the Zakynthos Byzantine Museum.
More touristic destinations of Zakynthos
Most favourite sights of Zakynthos:Â Monastery of Anafonitria, Monastery of Panagia Skopiotissa, Church of Saint Dionysius, Church of Saint Nicholas (Zante), Skinari Windmill, Ruins of Bochali Castle
Resorts, beaches, sights or trips - clearly listed on the map of Zakynthos.
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