All about Zakynthos

The Matesis family settled in Zakynthos after the fall of Methoni and its members distinguished themselves as military men, scholars and judges.

The best known descendant of the family is the author of the play "Vassilikos", Antonios Demetriou Matesis, who was born in Zakynthos in 1794 and died in Syros in 1875.

Matesis, a friend of Solomos and a member of his circle, depicted in his work the Zakynthian society during the period of British protection, emphasizing the struggle between his contemporary ideas of enlightenment and the ideas of the Zakynthian feudal lords.