The ambitious idea of constructing a canal through the Isthmus of Corinth dates to ancient Greece, where the narrow strip of land linked the Peloponnese peninsula to mainland Greece, separating the Gulf of Corinth from the Saronic Gulf. For centuries, ships wishing to travel between these two bodies of water were forced to navigate a treacherous and lengthy route around the formidable Peloponnese. However, it wasn’t until the 19th century that this centuries-old dream began to take shape. 

Work on the Corinth Canal commenced in 1882, marking the beginning of an extensive engineering project that would come to define the area. Engineers and laborers faced the formidable challenge of digging through 6.4 kilometers (4 miles) of solid rock, a painstaking and dangerous endeavor requiring the removal of approximately 12 million cubic meters of material. After years of intermittent work and a considerable investment of resources, the canal was finally completed in 1893. Spanning 6.4 kilometers in length, 8 meters deep, and 21.3 meters wide at the base, the Corinth Canal significantly shortened maritime travel times. 

Despite its limitations in accommodating only smaller vessels due to its narrow width and shallow depth, the canal became an essential maritime shortcut, facilitating trade and travel. Today, it remains in active use, primarily by tourist and smaller commercial vessels, standing as a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of overcoming geographical barriers.

The Dance of Zalongo is a poignant expression of Greek culture and history, rooted in the tragic events of the early 19th century. This dance commemorates the bravery of a group of Greek women who, faced with imminent capture and enslavement by Ottoman forces during the Greek War of Independence, chose to unite in a defiant act of resistance rather than submit to their oppressors. 

The story begins in 1803 in the village of Zalongo, near the picturesque town of Parga in Epirus. As Ottoman troops advanced into the region, the women of Zalongo gathered on the cliffs overlooking the sea, fully aware of the fate that awaited them. Instead of surrendering, they performed a dance symbolizing their defiance and solidarity, expressing their love for their homeland. In a tragic culmination, one by one, they leapt from the cliffs into the sea, choosing death over a life of enslavement. 

The Dance of Zalongo has since become a powerful symbol of Greek resistance and national identity. Annual commemorative events honor these women and celebrate their courage, transforming the dance into a traditional performance that captures the spirit of resilience in Greek culture. 

Today, the Dance of Zalongo is often performed at festivals and cultural events, serving as a reminder of sacrifice, unity, and the enduring spirit of the Greek people in their struggle for freedom. Through this dance, the legacy of those brave women lives on, inspiring generations to remember the importance of courage and dignity in the quest for liberty.

Nestled under a wall of colored rocks that offer stupendous views of the surrounding landscape, Leonidio (pop. 3,000) is a small paradise for rock-climbing enthusiasts. Until 1957, the area was treated as if it ere an island because the precipitous cliffs kept the entire area of ​​Kynouria on the east coast of the Peloponnese virtually cut off from the rest of the world for centuries. Because of this legacy, locals still speak their ancestral dialect, Tsakonian, a direct descendant of ancient Doric Greek.

There are rocks everywhere, both along the coast washed by the Myrtoos Sea and along the Dafnon River, which flows from the mountain mass of Parnon. Of all these rocks, the most impressive is the so-called Red Rock, which rises almost vertically to a height of 250 meters, right behind the houses that rest on the outer edge of this picturesque town.

Today, the very wall of stone that made communication with the outside world difficult has become a blessing. Leonidio noq ranks among the fastest-growing climbing destinations in the world. The October to May climbing season finds the once deserted rocks alive with people from Europe, America, Asia, Australia, and elsewhere, who come there to test their strength and endurance.

It all started about 10 years ago when the impressive rocks attracted the Swiss Remy brothers, legendary climbing figures, who planned the first routes, giving the venture the necessary sparkle. At the same time, Dina Danesi, a young architect and a native of the town, discovered sport climbing during a stay in Berlin. She returned with a group of sports buddies, and they created Panjika, a cooperative experiment to support climbers.

The word “pandjika” means a natural dead-end in Tsakonian, the point where rocks block a passage, allowing shepherds to corral their animals. Today, the members of Panjika, in addition to founding a cozy cafe that acts as an informal information and meeting center for climbers, help to open new routes and maintain the old ones. The area around Leonidio noq has almost 2,000 routes!

Leonidio looks forward to a rosy future. Many foreign climbers who are also digital nomads stay for long periods, giving life to the place and expanding the circle of activities beyond the strict framework of climbing. The historic town has now become international, without sacrificing any of its character. The result is that more and more local young people have decided to live and create in their city—an example worth following.

Elisavet Laloudaki

Nestled under a wall of colored rocks that offer stupendous views of the surrounding landscape, Leonidio (pop. 3,000) is a small paradise for rock-climbing enthusiasts. Until 1957, the area was treated as if it ere an island because the precipitous cliffs kept the entire area of ​​Kynouria on the east coast of the Peloponnese virtually cut off from the rest of the world for centuries. Because of this legacy, locals still speak their ancestral dialect, Tsakonian, a direct descendant of ancient Doric Greek.

There are rocks everywhere, both along the coast washed by the Myrtoos Sea and along the Dafnon River, which flows from the mountain mass of Parnon. Of all these rocks, the most impressive is the so-called Red Rock, which rises almost vertically to a height of 250 meters, right behind the houses that rest on the outer edge of this picturesque town.

Today, the very wall of stone that made communication with the outside world difficult has become a blessing. Leonidio noq ranks among the fastest-growing climbing destinations in the world. The October to May climbing season finds the once deserted rocks alive with people from Europe, America, Asia, Australia, and elsewhere, who come there to test their strength and endurance.

It all started about 10 years ago when the impressive rocks attracted the Swiss Remy brothers, legendary climbing figures, who planned the first routes, giving the venture the necessary sparkle. At the same time, Dina Danesi, a young architect and a native of the town, discovered sport climbing during a stay in Berlin. She returned with a group of sports buddies, and they created Panjika, a cooperative experiment to support climbers.

The word “pandjika” means a natural dead-end in Tsakonian, the point where rocks block a passage, allowing shepherds to corral their animals. Today, the members of Panjika, in addition to founding a cozy cafe that acts as an informal information and meeting center for climbers, help to open new routes and maintain the old ones. The area around Leonidio noq has almost 2,000 routes!

Leonidio looks forward to a rosy future. Many foreign climbers who are also digital nomads stay for long periods, giving life to the place and expanding the circle of activities beyond the strict framework of climbing. The historic town has now become international, without sacrificing any of its character. The result is that more and more local young people have decided to live and create in their city—an example worth following.

Elisavet Laloudaki