Information
Landmark: Zalongo MonumentCity: Preveza
Country: Greece
Continent: Europe
Zalongo Monument, Preveza, Greece, Europe
Overview
The Zalongo Monument rises on the rocky slopes of Mount Zalongo, just above the quiet village of the same name in Epirus, northwestern Greece, and stands as a powerful symbol of the region’s history and culture.This monument stands as a reminder of a tragic yet heroic moment in Greek history, born from the fierce struggle for independence against the Ottoman Empire.Number one, the very first step.The Zalongo Monument honors a tragic moment from 1803, when history turned on a cold mountain wind.safeThe Souliots had fought the Ottomans for years, but by 1803 their enemies were closing in.That December, after a long, bitter siege, the Souliot women and children found themselves trapped in a narrow, wind-whipped mountain pass near Zalongo.Instead of giving themselves up to the Ottoman soldiers, the women leapt to their deaths-choosing defiance over capture and holding fast to their honor.Witnesses say they danced and sang a mournful tune-its melody carrying over the wind-before leaping from the cliffs, a moment etched into Greek history as a powerful emblem of resistance and courage.The Souliot community’s defiance became a rallying point in the fight for independence, and in 1961, the Zalongo Monument was raised to honor the women and children who made that final, unflinching choice.The monument stands on the hillside of Mount Zalongo, close to where the mass suicide is thought to have happened.It shows three women in stone, arms flung wide against the wind, capturing their last act of defiance and their courageous stand against the Ottomans.Greek sculptor Yannis Pappas designed the monument, and in 1961 it was unveiled beneath bright spring skies to mark the 158th anniversary of the event.The figures stand poised and unyielding, mirroring the strength and unity of the Souliot women.At the base, carved into the stone, the inscription reads: “To the heroic women of Souli, who preferred death to slavery.” It’s a stark, lasting tribute to their self-sacrifice and fierce resolve in resisting Ottoman rule, and the Zalongo Monument remains a powerful emblem of Greek national identity.It honors a moment remembered as a striking emblem of Greek resistance during centuries of Ottoman rule, and the women’s bold stand is still hailed as a fierce cry for bravery, freedom, and pride.Greek poetry, songs, and stories have kept the sacrifice at Zalongo alive, and each year people-especially from Epirus-gather at the wind-swept Zalongo Monument to honor it.Each year on December’s cold anniversary of the 1803 mass suicide, people gather at the monument for remembrance ceremonies.The events feature speeches, poetry recitals, and wreath-laying beneath the cold stone memorial, honoring the Souliot women’s sacrifice and its enduring place in Greek history, while their tragedy at Zalongo has stirred countless works of art, verse, and music that celebrate their courage.Dancing and singing before leaping from the cliff stands at the heart of these depictions, embodying the women’s unity, their strength, and their defiance of oppression; the monument itself rises on a hilltop, with wind in your face and the whole landscape spread out below.From the site, you can take in broad views of the Ambracian Gulf, with the jagged peaks of the Epirus mountains rising just beyond.The landscape itself carries meaning-the jagged cliffs and bare rock echo the Souliot women’s struggle.The Zalongo Monument sits about 3 km from the village, reachable by car, though the climb winds steeply through sharp turns.From the parking lot, it’s just a brief walk to the monument, which clings to the mountain’s side like a watchful sentinel.The site stays open all year and draws anyone eager to explore Greece’s history and culture.Perched high above the valley, the monument offers a hush broken only by wind in the pines-an ideal place to reflect on the history it honors.The Zalongo Monument stands as a striking emblem of sacrifice, courage, and the Greek spirit of resistance.It honors the Souliot women who leapt to their deaths rather than live in chains, capturing the fierce defiance at the heart of Greece’s fight for freedom.The monument still stirs the hearts of Greeks and travelers alike, drawing them to Zalongo to honor the fierce courage of those who stood against tyranny.
