The Castle of Zakynthos was completed by the Venetians in 1646 AD and the Winged Lion of Saint Mark, a symbol of the Venetian empire, stands above the main entrance. In those times the castle was the seat and residence of the Venetian Proveditor, administrator of the island, and other officials. Due to time, war attacks and earthquakes, the castle was partly damaged.
When the British Empire took over the Ionian islands in 1812, the castle was reconstructed and new buildings were built, including barracks, powder stores and the house of the British Parliament.
Many churches were also found inside the castle walls, such as the Byzantine Church of the Savior (San Salvatore or Domo) that dates from the 12th century, the 14th century Church of Saint Francis, the church of Santa Barbara, the church of the Virgin Mary Laurentena and the church of Saint John the Baptist.
References:The Château du Lude is one of the many great châteaux of the Loire Valley in France. Le Lude is the most northerly château of the Loire Valley and one of the last important historic castles in France, still inhabited by the same family for the last 260 years. The château is testimony to four centuries of French architecture, as a stronghold transformed into an elegant house during the Renaissance and the 18th century. The monument is located in the valley of Le Loir. Its gardens have evolved throughout the centuries.