The Dance of Zalongo – History and Monument
Updated: Sep 12
A Place Between Memory and Horizon
The bright silhouette stands out from far away.
Anyone travelling along the coast near Preveza may suddenly spot it between sky and mountains. Six figures appear to move hand in hand across the ridge. From a distance, the monument almost seems light. Only when you come closer does it become clear how large it really is.
Once you reach the top of Mount Zalongo, your gaze first falls on the landscape. The Ionian Sea lies in the distance, the wind moves across the slopes, and the white-grey stone figures stand out against the sky.
The monument commemorates one of the best-known events in the history of Epirus.
Quick Info: The Dance of Zalongo Monument
Location: Mount Zalongo, near Kamarina and Preveza, Epirus
Ideal for: history, wide views, photography, quiet places and special landscape moments
Good to know: The monument cannot be reached directly by car. From the area of the Agios Dimitrios Monastery, a paved path with many steps leads up to the monument. The climb is clearly part of the experience here.
Best time: Morning or late afternoon, when the light is softer and the walk feels more pleasant. In summer, the exposed path can get very hot.
Unfiltered tip: Don’t only look at the monument itself. Even during the climb, the perspectives keep changing: rocks, trees, steps, wind and again and again the view over Epirus, the Ionian Sea and the landscape around Preveza.
Where to explore: View the Dance of Zalongo Monument on Google Maps.
The Story Behind the Monument
In December 1803, the long resistance of the Souliotes against Ali Pasha of Ioannina came to an end. During their flight, a group of women and children found themselves in a hopeless situation on the heights of Zalongo.
According to tradition, the women chose death over captivity and enslavement. They are said to have thrown their children, and then themselves, from the cliffs. Later, this gave rise to the story of the “Dance of Zalongo”, in which the women faced their fate singing and holding hands.
Historians still discuss individual details of this tradition today. Whether there was actually dancing and singing cannot be clearly proven historically. However, it is historically recorded that women from Souli took their own lives here in order to avoid capture.
It is precisely this mixture of history, memory and legend that still makes the place so special today.
A Monument of Modernity
What is surprising is that the monument itself does not feel old at all.
The six stylized female figures are more reminiscent of modern art than of a classical war memorial. The sculpture was designed by the Greek sculptor Giorgos Zongolopoulos. After several years of construction, it was inaugurated in 1961.
The monument is around 18 metres long and about 13 metres high. Inside, it has a concrete structure, while on the outside more than 4,000 light limestone blocks were used.
From a distance, the figures appear almost abstract. With every step closer, however, the suggested body shapes and joined hands become more visible. The movement of the figures recalls a chain of people moving forward together.
The Way Up
Many people especially remember the steps that lead up to the monument.
From the area of the Agios Dimitrios Monastery, a paved path with several hundred steps leads up to the monument. During the climb, the view opens wider and wider over the landscape of Epirus.
Once you reach the top, the monument feels different than it does in photos. Its size is difficult to judge from a distance. At the same time, it stands surprisingly quietly in the landscape.
Perhaps that is exactly where its impact lies.
It does not tell its story with many words. It shows only six figures holding hands. Everything else is brought by the visitor: the knowledge of the events, the questions of freedom, memory and the price of decisions.
A Monument That Cannot Be Overlooked
There are many places around Preveza that tell the story of the region’s history. The Zalongo Monument is one of those that stands out simply through its appearance.
Not because of elaborate decoration or large inscriptions.
But because the six figures on the mountain ridge are immediately recognizable even from a great distance — as if they were still walking together along the horizon.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
The Dance of Zalongo Monument is reached on foot from the area of the Agios Dimitrios Monastery. The path up is paved and easy to follow, but it leads over many steps and can feel demanding depending on the weather.
Proper shoes or at least good sandals are more comfortable than simple flip-flops. Especially in summer, it is worth bringing water and avoiding the midday heat. The climb is not extremely long, but it is exposed, rocky and can quickly become hot in the sun.
Once you reach the top, the monument feels different than it does from a distance. The figures are larger, quieter and more physical than you might expect from below. At the same time, the view opens wide over the landscape of Epirus, all the way to the sea and across the coastal region around Preveza.
The place is not only a viewpoint. It recalls a tragic chapter of regional history. That is why it is worth not only taking photos at the top, but also standing still for a moment and letting the place take effect.
Discover More History and Quiet Places in Epirus
If you are interested in places where landscape, memory and history are closely connected, these articles fit well with this story:
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