All about Zakynthos

The Kapnisi family fled to Zakynthos in 1499 after the fall of Methoni and was recognized among the nobility in 1502.

In 1509 Theodore Kapnisis was the first to plant raisins in Zakynthos.

In 1770 Anthony Kapnisis participated in the expedition of the Orlov brothers and fought in the Peloponnese.

The Russian government rewarded him with estates in Crimea and in 1798 appointed him a member of the Provisional Government of the Ionian Islands.

His son Vasilios Kapnisis (Kapnist) was one of the most important Russian poets.

On the contrary, the Venetian government considered the Kapnisi brothers to be rebels in power and exiled them from the Ionian Islands.

The management of their property was undertaken by Antonios Martinez, who during the years of his political omnipotence resided in their mansion in St. Luke's Square.

Later the mansion passed to the ownership of Dionysios Roma.