White Tower

Introduction

The White Tower is the symbol and landmark of Thessaloniki—an ancient, rounded, white tower standing by the sea, a witness to Thessaloniki's history and the city's undisputed name card. The White Tower stands by the seafront of Thessaloniki (Greece's second-largest city), the city's most famous and iconic landmark and symbol. It is a rounded cylindrical stone tower, fairly white throughout (hence the name White Tower)—built during the Ottoman rule (about 15th–16th century, on earlier Byzantine fortifications), originally part of Thessaloniki's seaside defensive system (a sturdy fort tower at the seaward end of the walls), guarding this important port city. Over time, the tower played many roles (including as a prison, carrying a heavy history); in modern times it was whitewashed and restored, preserved as Thessaloniki's city symbol and historical landmark. Today the ancient White Tower stands majestically by the sea, its rounded, archaic body and seaside position making it Thessaloniki's most classic, photogenic city card. Inside, the tower is now a museum vividly introducing the city's long, rich history (through Greek-Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman periods—an extremely deep heritage). Climbing to the top platform offers an open view over Thessaloniki's seafront, city and the blue Thermaic Gulf. Visiting Thessaloniki, admiring and climbing the iconic White Tower, overlooking the seaside city, is Thessaloniki's deserved number-one sight.

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