Famous tourist attraction of Zakynthos with thousands of visitors every year. It is about the wreck of the smuggling ship “Panagiotis”, which happened on October 1, 1980 on the northwestern coast of the island.
The history of the motorship “Panagiotis”, 450 tons, begins in 1937 in Scotland, where it was built under the name “Saint Bedan”. In 1964 it passed into Greek hands (M. Gigilinis) and was renamed “Meropi”. Two years later it changed ownership and was renamed “Haris” by its new owner N. Kalfa. In 1975 it is resold for the third time and its name is changed to “Panagiotis” by the ship-owning company “P. Lisicatos & Company” based in Piraeus.
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A few days before the shipwreck, the “Panagiotis” was spotted by the Coast Guard off Zakynthos transporting smuggled cigarettes on behalf of the Italian Mafia. In his attempt to escape and due to adverse weather conditions, he ran aground in the shallows of a small picturesque bay on the northwest side of the island. The ship’s crew, mostly Greek sailors, abandoned it, but were captured a few days later.
Over time, “Navagio” will become one of the most popular tourist destinations of Zakynthos. Legend has it that the locals profited from the ship’s cargo, and for the next four years no legal tobacco products were sold on the island.
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Source: www.zougla.gr
