White Tower of Thessaloniki
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✨The Stunning Sunsets of Thessaloniki, Greece! 🧡✨
DaisyDaisy
370
The White Tower of Thessaloniki is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city of Thessaloniki, Greece, and holds great historical and cultural significance. Located on the city’s waterfront, the tower is a symbol of Thessaloniki and a popular tourist attraction. Its strategic position by the Aegean Sea made it a key defensive structure throughout the city’s history. The White Tower was built by the Ottomans in the 15th century, likely on the foundations of an older Byzantine structure. Originally part of the city’s fortifications, it was used to guard the eastern part of the city and control access to its port. Over the centuries, it has had various roles, including functioning as a prison during the Ottoman period, earning it the grim nickname "Tower of Blood" due to the executions that took place there. In the early 20th century, after Thessaloniki became part of modern Greece, the tower was whitewashed, symbolically erasing its dark past, and it became known as the White Tower. Today, the tower is no longer white, but its name remains. It has been restored and now houses a museum dedicated to the history of Thessaloniki, showcasing the city’s long and diverse past from the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods to modern times. Visitors can climb the tower’s spiraling staircase and enjoy panoramic views of the city and the Thermaic Gulf from the top, making it not only a historical monument but also a major attraction for those exploring Thessaloniki’s rich cultural heritage.
Nikola PanchevskiNikola Panchevski
00
The White Tower is beautiful, but visiting it brings many disappointments. For example, all the panels in the museum are in greek, so as a tourist, you can only listen to the audio guide. The audio guide is free but translated with Google Translate, so it s quite bland to listen to. In some areas, you are supposed to watch videos about the exhibited themes, which would be great if most of them weren't actually turned off or not working. If you do go, I recommend using the app Google Lens to translate the panels in your native language in real time because the audio guide contains many errors. I must add that this review is from the point of view of a foreign tourist, with no knowledge of the Greek language. Overall, the tour feels like it was made for the people of Thessaloniki and not tourists, which is fine because it is very important for people to know their history and culture. If you're into history and would like a deep swim in Thessaloniki's history, it is a nice experience. There are many steps to climb in the tower, but the view from the top makes it worth it, since you can look at the Mediterranean Sea and the city from above.
Wild StrawberryWild Strawberry
00
The White Tower of Thessaloniki is a fascinating landmark that we thoroughly enjoyed visiting. The exterior is impressive, and the view from the 6th floor is simply stunning, offering panoramic vistas of the city and the sea. The entrance fee is reasonable at 6 EUR for adults, and it's free for kids, making it a great family outing. However, be aware that the museum inside the tower presents some challenges for non-Greek speakers. All the exhibits are labeled only in Greek, which might limit your understanding if you don’t know the language. There is an audio guide available in English, but it's a bit inconvenient as you need to download the MP3 files from Google Drive beforehand. One thing to note: Google Maps shows the closing time as 15:30, but the tower is actually open until 20:00, so you have plenty of time to explore. Overall, it's worth a visit for the history and the view, just be prepared for the language barrier inside.
Laszlo ElekesLaszlo Elekes
00
The White Tower in Thessaloniki is an iconic landmark and a must-visit destination for tourists exploring the city. Situated along the waterfront, it offers panoramic views of the city and the Aegean Sea from its top observation deck. The tower itself is steeped in history, having served various purposes throughout the centuries, including as a fortress, a prison, and now as a museum showcasing Thessaloniki's rich cultural heritage. Inside, visitors can explore fascinating exhibits, artifacts, and displays that provide insight into the city's past. The surrounding area is vibrant, with plenty of cafes, shops, and cultural attractions nearby, making it an ideal spot to spend a few hours soaking in the atmosphere of this beautiful city. Whether you're interested in history, architecture, or simply enjoying the view, the White Tower is a must-see attraction that promises an unforgettable experience.
Piotr DomańskiPiotr Domański
60
The White Tower of Thessaloniki (Greek: Λευκός Πύργος Lefkós Pýrgos; Turkish: Beyaz Kule; Ladino: Kuli Blanka) is a monument and museum on the waterfront of the city of Thessaloniki, capital of the region of Macedonia in northern Greece. The present tower replaced an old Byzantine fortification, known to have been mentioned around the 12th century, that the Ottoman Empire reconstructed to fortify the city's fortress some time after Sultan Murad II captured Thessaloniki in 1430. During the period of Ottoman rule, the tower became a notorious prison and the scene of numerous mass executions, most famously of the Janissaries who revolted during the reign of Mahmud II. In 1912, as Greece gained control over the city, and the White Tower was substantially remodeled and its exterior was whitewashed. White Tower has been adopted as the symbol of the city.
Tevfik T.Tevfik T.
00
Nearby Attractions Of White Tower of Thessaloniki
Aristotelous Square
Arch of Galerius
Agia Sofia Square
Alexander the Great Garden
Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
Holy Church of Hagia Sophia
Rotunda
Museum of Byzantine Civilization
Museum of Byzantine Culture
White Tower Museum
Aristotelous Square
4.7
(16.9K)
Click for details
Arch of Galerius
4.6
(5.7K)
Click for details
Agia Sofia Square
4.6
(4.7K)
Click for details
Alexander the Great Garden
4.7
(4.7K)
Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of White Tower of Thessaloniki
ERGON Agora
Dentro sto Bar
Garçon Brasserie
Trigona Elenidi
Bougatsa Giannis
TGI Fridays Αριστοτέλους
SKYLINE - OTE Tower
BUTLER
The Greek
Σαββίκος
ERGON Agora
4.4
(2.8K)
$$
Click for details
Dentro sto Bar
4.5
(2.4K)
Click for details
Garçon Brasserie
4.4
(2.4K)
$$$
Click for details
Trigona Elenidi
4.7
(2.2K)
$$
Click for details
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
Thessaloniki 546 21, Greece
Map
Phone
+30 231 026 7832
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Website
lpth.gr
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Reviews
Overview
4.7
(20.8K reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
outdoor
family friendly
Description
The White Tower of Thessaloniki is a monument and museum on the waterfront of the city of Thessaloniki, capital of the region of Macedonia in northern Greece.
attractions: Aristotelous Square, Arch of Galerius, Agia Sofia Square, Alexander the Great Garden, Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, Holy Church of Hagia Sophia, Rotunda, Museum of Byzantine Civilization, Museum of Byzantine Culture, White Tower Museum, restaurants: ERGON Agora, Dentro sto Bar, Garçon Brasserie, Trigona Elenidi, Bougatsa Giannis, TGI Fridays Αριστοτέλους, SKYLINE - OTE Tower, BUTLER, The Greek, Σαββίκος
