Zalongo Monument | Preveza

The Zalongo Monument is a monumental modernist sculpture situated on the summit of Mount Zalongo, approximately 28km north of Preveza, Greece. It commemorates the Dance of Zalongo, a mass suicide of women and children from the village of Souli in 1803 to avoid capture by Ottoman forces.

Visual Characteristics

Designed by the sculptor George Zongolopoulos and architect Patroklos Karantinos, the monument is 18 meters long and 13 meters high. It is constructed from reinforced concrete faced with approximately 4,300 blocks of white limestone. The abstract design depicts six female figures of increasing size, holding hands in a symbolic dance that culminates at the edge of the precipice. The figures become more stylized and monumental as they reach the cliff's edge.

Location & Access Logistics

The monument is located at an altitude of 700 meters on the cliffside of Mount Zalongo, overlooking the village of Kamasina.

By Vehicle: Access is via the Preveza-Ioannina national road, turning toward the village of Kassope. A paved road leads to the base of the mountain at the Monastery of Agios Dimitrios.

On Foot: Reaching the monument requires ascending a stone staircase of 410 steps starting from the monastery. The climb takes approximately 15–20 minutes.

Parking: A dedicated parking area is available at the Monastery of Agios Dimitrios.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The monument was erected between 1950 and 1961. It honors the Souliote women who, during the Souliote War in December 1803, threw their children and then themselves off the cliff while singing and dancing to escape enslavement by the troops of Ali Pasha. The site offers a strategic view of the Ionian Sea and the Ambracian Gulf, reflecting the rugged limestone geography of the Epirus region.

Key Highlights & Activities

The Sculpture: Observation of the modernist aesthetic and the scaling of the figures.

Panoramic Views: The site provides a 360-degree view of the Preveza prefecture, the Ionian islands of Lefkada and Paxoi, and the ancient site of Kassope below.

Monastery of Agios Dimitrios: A 13th-century monastery at the base of the steps containing historic frescoes.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The site is a public historical monument with no entrance fee.

Facilities: Basic amenities (restrooms, water) are available at the Monastery of Agios Dimitrios or in the nearby village of Kamasina. There are no facilities at the top of the monument.

Connectivity: 4G/5G signal is available but can be intermittent due to the mountainous terrain and high winds.

Safety: The area around the monument is fenced, but caution is advised near the cliff edges.

Best Time to Visit

The site is open year-round. Early morning or late afternoon are recommended to avoid the midday sun during the climb. Clear days offer the best visibility of the Ionian Sea.

Facts & Legends

The "Dance of Zalongo" has become a potent symbol of the Greek struggle for independence. While the exact choreography of the event is a subject of historical debate, the sacrifice is an established historical fact documented by contemporary witnesses. The monument is one of the largest examples of public modernist sculpture in Greece.

Nearby Landmarks

Ancient Kassope: 1.5km South (at the foot of the mountain)

Monastery of Agios Dimitrios: 0.4km South (at the start of the stairs)

Ancient Nicopolis: 22.0km South

Preveza Town: 28.0km South

Acheron River (Necromanteion): 25.0km North