The Statue of Odysseas Androutsos

Jul 14

3 min read

Updated: Sep 12

Odysseas statue in Preveza with the Greek flag and cafés in the background.

A Hidden Piece of History on Preveza’s Platia

Anyone walking across Preveza’s Platia will notice it sooner or later.

Between cafés, shady trees, and the everyday life of the town stands the statue of a man in traditional dress. Right beside it, the Greek flag waves in the wind.

Many people pass this monument every day. But only a few know the story behind it.

Quick Info: Statue of Odysseas Androutsos

Location: central Platia of Preveza, Epirus

Ideal for: history, city walks, small everyday details, and quiet discoveries in the heart of Preveza

Good to know: The statue commemorates Odysseas Androutsos, an important freedom fighter of the Greek Revolution of 1821. His connection to Preveza is less well known, which makes the monument all the more interesting.

Best time: During a walk through the town, especially in the morning or early evening, when the Platia feels quieter and the light is softer.

Unfiltered tip: Do not just walk past the statue. A closer look at the base, the inscription, and the surroundings shows how naturally history sometimes stands right in the middle of everyday life in Preveza.

Where to explore: View the Statue of Odysseas Androutsos on the central Platia of Preveza on Google Maps.

A Hero of the Greek Revolution – Odysseas Androutsos

The statue depicts Odysseas Androutsos, one of the best-known freedom fighters of the Greek War of Independence in 1821.

He is considered one of the most important military leaders of the revolution and played a major role in the fight against Ottoman rule. He became especially famous for his successful resistance in the Battle of Gravia, which made him one of the most prominent figures of that period.

But why is his statue standing in Preveza of all places?

The Connection to Preveza

Although Androutsos is mainly associated with Central Greece, his story also reaches into Epirus.

His mother came from a respected family in Preveza. After the death of his father, he spent part of his childhood with his mother’s relatives, which gave him a close connection to the town.

For many visitors, this connection is hardly known. That makes it all the more surprising to discover it right in the middle of Preveza’s central Platia.

A Special Detail

When we stood in front of the statue, the first thing that caught our eye was the inscription on the base.

Only later did we learn that another, largely unknown story is hidden here.

The mortal remains of Odysseas Androutsos were transferred to Preveza in 1967 and placed in an ossuary beneath the monument.

So anyone standing in front of the statue today is not only at a place that commemorates a historical hero, but also at his final resting place.

History in Everyday Life

These are exactly the kinds of places that make Preveza so interesting to us.

Here, history is not found only in museums or archaeological sites. You come across it on squares, in small alleys, and sometimes in places where you least expect it.

While people drink their coffee around the statue, children play, and locals talk to each other, the monument commemorates a man whose life is closely connected to the history of Greece.

A detail that could easily be overlooked — and that is exactly what makes it so fascinating.

Practical Tips for Your Visit

The statue stands in a public square and can easily be discovered during a walk through Preveza. It is not a large museum and not a closed-off historic site, but part of normal town life.

That is exactly what makes it interesting. While cafés, conversations, traffic, and everyday life continue all around it, the statue points to a story that reaches far beyond the square itself.

Anyone who stops here for a moment should also pay attention to the small details: the posture of the figure, the Greek flag, the inscription on the base, and the contrast between the monument, the square, and present-day life in the town.

The place does not require much time. But it shows very well how history in Preveza does not only become visible at major archaeological sites, but sometimes right in the middle of a square where many people simply walk past.