Domeneghini Tower, rising still above the view of Argassi, was for centuries one of the most emblematic manor houses of Zakynthos and at the same time a place where the secrecy of the Filiki Eteria (Friendly Society) reportedly found safe refuge.
The Domeneghini family is said to originate from Venice and, according to tradition, traces its lineage back to Duke Domenico Silvio of the 11th century, who fought the Normans at Dyrrachium. After the fall of Candia in 1669, the Domeneghini settled in Zakynthos, were registered in the Libro d’Oro in 1741, and gained significant privileges that sustained their socio-political influence until the early 20th century.
The tower itself is estimated to have been built around the mid-16th century, a period when frequent pirate raids forced many Zakynthian families to fortify their country residences. The original structure reportedly included battlements and high defensive walls to protect both aristocrats and workers in the area. Over time, as Venetian rule stabilized, the fortified tower gradually transformed into a luxurious country villa, hosting receptions, family gatherings, and political meetings of the local aristocracy. During the British period, it became a reference point for Zakynthos’ social elite, decorated with artworks and valuable furnishings reflecting the wealth and prestige of its owners. It is also traditionally said to have hosted intellectuals such as Ugo Foscolo and Dionysios Solomos.
A decisive turning point in its history came in the early 19th century, when the activities of the Filiki Eteria began to spread to Zakynthos. According to local tradition, the Domeneghini family, wishing to mislead the British authorities, allowed the building to be used for secret meetings of revolutionaries preparing the Greek uprising. Within this context, the legend of a “haunted house” was deliberately cultivated so that passersby would avoid the area. Thus, the myth of the “devil’s house” was born: conspirators allegedly threw stones from windows to create noise and panic, reinforcing rumours of supernatural activity and ensuring the secrecy of their operations.
Inside the tower, weapons and supplies for the Filiki Eteria are said to have been stored, while tradition even claims that Theodoros Kolokotronis secretly departed from the nearby shore toward Mani. Through such actions and covert recruitment efforts, the tower of Domeneghini became embedded in the collective memory of Zakynthos as a place that served both aristocratic life and the national struggle for freedom.
The earthquakes that followed in later decades caused serious damage to the building, but this is also believed to have helped obscure the revolutionary activities associated with it. The family reportedly moved valuable items to other estates, citing financial difficulties for repairs, while in reality facilitating the continued discreet use of the site by the revolutionaries.
