White Tower of Thessaloniki #1359

Description

It is Greece’s most famous castle and serves as a symbol of Thessaloniki.

Over its long history, the tower’s name and purpose have changed multiple times. In the eighteenth century, it was known as the "Fortress of Kalamaria," and in the nineteenth century, it was referred to as the "Tower of the Genitsaroi" or the "Bloody Tower." In 1890, a prisoner whitewashed the tower’s walls in exchange for his freedom, which is how it became known as the "White Tower."

Based on travelers’ accounts and historical depictions of the city, the wall section along the seafront, which was demolished in 1867, featured three towers; the White Tower was at the eastern end, connecting to the eastern wall. Its exact construction date is unclear, but it was likely built in the fifteenth century following the Turkish conquest of Thessaloniki, replacing a Byzantine tower mentioned by Eustathius, Archbishop of Thessaloniki, in his description of the 1185 Norman siege.

After Thessaloniki’s liberation in 1912, the tower became public property. During World War I, it housed the communication center for the Allied forces, and in 1916 its first floor was used to store antiquities excavated by the British in their sector. It also served various roles, including as a base for the city's anti-air defense, a meteorological lab for the University of Thessaloniki, and headquarters for the navy scouts, who were the last occupants before the tower’s restoration. The popular White Tower café and theater once stood nearby in the early 20th century but were demolished in 1954 when the surrounding park was expanded.