The monument commemorates the events of December 1803, when Souliote women reportedly jumped off the cliff while singing and dancing.
Sculptor George Zongolopoulos spent several years refining the design to evoke movement and sorrow without literal depiction.
The monument was constructed using reinforced concrete and stands 13 meters tall.
The location is situated at an elevation of approximately 600 meters above sea level.
The cliff drop is significant, reinforcing the historical accounts of the event's gravity.
Local folklore preserves the song 'Sing, O Souliot women' as the tune allegedly sung during the descent.
The site was commissioned by the Greek state to honor the resistance of the Souliotes against the forces of Ali Pasha of Ioannina.
The Dance of Zalongo Monument commemorates the mass suicide of Souliote women and their children in 1803 to avoid enslavement by Ali Pasha. Designed by sculptor George Zongolopoulos and architect Patroklos Karantinos, the concrete sculpture was inaugurated in 1961. It features six abstract, stylized female figures holding hands, positioned at the edge of a steep cliff on Mount Zalongo. The site overlooks the Ambracian Gulf and the plains of Preveza. It serves as a historical symbol of Greek resistance during the Ottoman occupation. Visitors reach the monument via a paved trail beginning near the 18th-century Monastery of Saint Demetrios. The site is maintained as a public memorial and viewpoint.
From the base of the monument looking upward to frame the figures against the sky, or from the path looking back to capture the gulf backdrop.
Wear sturdy hiking footwear, as the path from the monastery to the summit consists of hundreds of stone steps.
Bring sufficient water, as there are no amenities or vendors at the mountain top.
Visit during clear weather to ensure visibility of the Ambracian Gulf from the summit.
Attempting the climb during high wind conditions or severe summer heat waves.
Maintain a respectful demeanor as the site functions as a war memorial.
