Dionysios Solomos

Find his Statue at the main square

Dionysios Solomos is the National Poetry of Greece and was born in Zakynthos. If you visit Zakynthos you must read his history, you can visit the Solomos museum and see his Statue at Solomos main square of Zakynthos.

The poem "Hymn to Freedom," whose first two stanzas became the Greek National Anthem, was written by Dionysios Solomos, who would be known for this work. On April 8, 1798, Dionysios Solomos was born in Zakynthos. He entered in the University of Pavia's Law School in the end of 1815, and two years later, he received his degree. He started writing his first poetry in Italian since he was inspired by Italian literature and had a strong mastery of the language. While he himself had started to become attracted with the French Enlightenment, his work was rapidly acknowledged.

The Hymn to Liberty, a poem inspired by the Greek revolution of 1821, was finished in May 1823 and represents the first significant turning point in Solomos's Greek writings. The poem was first released in 1824 in Mesolongi. It was afterwards translated into French and later published in other languages in Paris in 1825. As a result, the poet's fame spread beyond Greek territory. Due to this poem, Solomos was respected until his passing because his other works were only known to a select group of people, including his "students" A new phase in the poet's literary career began with The Hymn to Liberty; at this point, the poet has finally mastered the language and is experimenting himself with increasingly intricate forms, becoming more receptive to many sources of inspiration, and effortlessly putting aside improvisation. This time produced the poems I Katastrofi ton Psaron, O Dialogos, The Dialogue (referring to the language), and I Gynaika tis Zakynthos, also known as The Woman from Zakynthos and the Odi eis to thanato tou Lordou Byron, an ode to Lord Byron's death that shares many strengths and weaknesses with the Hymn. The cannon fire from Zakynthos during the Greek War of Independence is said to have inspired Solomos to write some of his most well-known pieces.

In Zakynthos at the Saint Marcos square you will find the Museum of Solomos and Epiphany Zakynthian which was rebuilt in 1957. It has been operating since 1966 and since January 17, 1968, it keeps the bones of the national poets D. Solomos and A. Kalvos in the Mausoleum.

Also in Zakynthos town you will find the main square that has his name and in the center his Statue. There you can take photos and enjoy a coffee at many coffee bars that are situated at the square.