Thessaloniki White Tower

Location: Beach Promenade

The White Tower stands tall on Nikis Street, along the Thessaloniki Waterfront, as the symbol and one of the main attractions of the city. The tower dates from the period of the Ottoman occupation, around the 15th century. It was built as part of the city's fortification, on the site of another, much older tower, which was probably constructed by French knights, after the Crusaders conquered Constantinople.

This is a 33,9-meter-high circular tower with a diameter of 21,7 m. It has six floors connected by stairs. The last floor has a terrace that offers marvelous views of the sea and city. Some of the embrasures in the outer wall can be reached by a spiral ramp, while others are accessed from a central room on each of the six floors. Until the early 20th century, the tower was surrounded by a low octagonal wall, with smaller towers at three corners. The Ottomans used this tower as a fort, a garrison, and a prison. It was also the scene of some notorious mass executions, most notably the execution of the Janissaries in 1826, during the reign of Mahmud II.

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More about the White Tower

The tower has been referred to by many different names throughout its long history. In the 18th century, it was called the Kalamaria Fortress. After the massacre of 1826, it was renamed the Tower of Blood or the Red Tower. When Thessaloniki was liberated in 1912, the tower was whitewashed as a symbolic gesture of purification, lending it its present name. According to another theory, the tower was painted white by a prisoner in 1890, in exchange for his freedom. Nowadays, the White Tower has a light brownish-yellow hue but has maintained its name.

During World War I, the White Tower was used as a communications center by the Allies. It also served as a storage facility for antiquities from excavations in the area. When it fell into the hands of the Greek state in 1912, it housed the air defense of Thessaloniki and would play an important role in both World Wars. Moreover, the tower hosted the University of Thessaloniki meteorology laboratory and, until 1983, the Sea Cadets. In 1913, King George I of Greece was murdered a few meters away from the White Tower.

In 1983, the Tower was given to the Ministry of Culture, and by 1985 it had been restored. Today it hosts a permanent exhibition under the auspices of the Museum of Byzantine Culture. The exhibition showcases the varied history of the city, with a unique theme on each floor. The ground floor informs visitors about the founding of Thessaloniki with interesting projections and video presentations. The first floor focuses on the infrastructure of Thessaloniki, the second on its monuments, and the third on its inhabitants and their everyday lives. The next three floors delve into the city’s economy, artistic heritage, and traditional food. Finally, visitors can make their way to the balcony, where they can enjoy astonishing views of the city and the sea.

Various temporary exhibitions are held at the tower as well, presenting historical findings, religious relics, and artistic works among others. Significant educational programs are also regularly organized, teaching students and scholars from all over the country about the history and culture of Thessaloniki.