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A tour of the elegant Romas Mansion on Zakynthos

The Greek island of Zakynthos is known more for sun and relaxation than for culture, but at Romas Mansion in Zante town I found the exception to the rule.

At Romas mansion in Zante town

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Romas Mansion is one of the few old house in Zante town that survived the earthquake of 1953 and subsequent fire which destroyed practically the whole town. It is the home of the aristocratic Romas family and offers a glimpse into the life of one of the leading political families on the island.

Update: Romas Mansion is no longer open to the public but I’ve kept this article as an interesting insight into the history of Zakynthos

At Romas mansion in Zante town

The Mansion was built in the 1660’s by the English Vice consul on Zakynthos and during the period of the English Protection (1814-1864) was used as the English Governor’s Residence and seat of government on Zakynthos. In the 1880’s the house was bought by Alexander Romas, Government minister and President of the Greek Parliament and has remained in his family to this day.

Landing in Roma's Mansion in Zante town

When I visited Romas Mansion with my sister, who lives on Zakynthos, I was surprised by the beauty and elegance of the house and its contents. I had a preconception of people on Zakynthos living as farmers or fishermen, but this house gives a peek into the gilded and affluent lifestyle of the aristocracy on the island. Here were beautiful furniture, family portraits, leather bound books and furnishings which would not have looked out of place in a stately home in England.

Included in the entry fee was a guided tour of the house, by a guide who spoke excellent English. He pointed out that the house and nearby chapel were built at least a metre below the current street level, as the whole town had been rebuilt at a higher level after the 1953 earthquake, on top of the rubble of the buildings destroyed. The house looks directly onto the sea, but where you now have to cross the busy harbour road, the house once had private access to the beach. Although the house was badly damaged in the earthquake it was rebuilt, albeit without the top floor and side wings, as we could see from the old photos on display.

Church beside Romas Mansion

The family still live in the mansion, closing their private rooms when the house is open to the public, although when we chatted to the daughter of the house who was manning the gift shop, she told us that it was not really very comfortable for a modern lifestyle. I couldn’t really imagine inviting my friends round and having a riotous time there either but it was a great place to get an insight into the history of the island before taking in a coffee in the main square just round the corner.

Update: Romas Mansion is no longer open to the public but I’ve kept this article as an interesting insight into the history of Zakynthos

Romas Mansion, Louka Carrer 19, Zante town, Zakynthos, 29100
Tel +30 26950 28381

Read more about Zakynthos

Sunday morning Greek coffee and glika
My top three beaches on Zakynthos
How to find a real Greek Taverna on Zakynthos

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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Aljurf

Wednesday 1st of May 2019

Hey! Zante town that survived the earthquake of 1953 and subsequent fire which destroyed practically the whole town.

Darlene

Friday 7th of June 2013

My Romas line traces to Bucharest, Greece by submission of My DNA testing as I was at a loss in finding records. I have submitted some research on ancestry.com. I do not know but I would enjoy learning if my line connects or if you might know of this family line. My William G Romas married Malinda and the earliest record in the US early 1800. They had many children. Thank you for your time and your help in connecting Romas family.

Heather Cowper

Friday 7th of June 2013

@Darlene If you are interested in checking the connection you could e-mail the family who own this house on [email protected] - they have a whole library of old books in their house.

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