During the Greek War of Independence, which began in 1821, a battalion of Philhellenes fought on the side of the Greeks, in which about 70 Polish officers and soldiers served, mainly former legionaries from Napoleon's shattered army. They took part in the battles against the Ottoman Empire at Petra near Arta in Epirus in 1822 and in 1825-1826 in the defence of the town of Mesolongion (current name: Missolungi), which resisted despite incessant attacks and sieges. Faced with depleted food supplies and an acute blockade from the sea, the town's defenders decided to break through the Turkish lines. Only a few succeeded. Most of the Greeks and Philhellenes fell (including a Pole, Colonel Czorczewski), while some died during the heroic act of blowing up the fortress. Their remains were buried in the so-called 'Garden of Heroes' (Herron) in Missolungi after Greek independence in 1830.
The collective grave of the Poles is located on the site of the former defensive positions of the Polish troops. Initially there was a wooden cross on the grave; in 1938 it was replaced by a marble monument by Professor Henryk Uziembła. It consists of a tombstone with an inscription engraved in Greek and Polish. A marble cross rises on the slab, with a bas-relief at its base depicting an eagle holding a sabre in its talons. In front of the slab are two small bronze wreaths on marble plaques. The memorial is surrounded by a concrete roundabout and lawn. The inscription reads: "1826 - FOR GREECE AND POLAND".
A complete list of Poles buried at Missolungi has not been established. The Greek press of 1937, when reporting on the construction of the monument, mentioned the following names: Derelski, Dobronowski, Kuszelewski, Leszczyński, Łaski, Mierzejewski, Miodowiecki, Mołodowski. Later, during archival searches, the following names were also established: Jan Nepomucen Dzierżawski (appointed general of the Greek army in 1826), Grabowski, Michał Torosakowski.
Every year anniversary celebrations are held at the monument with the participation of Greek authorities and representatives of the Polish Embassy.

Compiled by T. Zachara / MKiDN, VIII 2025