White Tower

The White Tower, the emblem of Thessaloniki, which dominates the port area, was built in the late 15th century, as the south-east tower of the city’s fortification. An imposing six-storey, cylinder shaped structure, 22.70m in diameter and 33.90m in height. Over the centuries, it changed names and operations multiple times: Kalamaria Fortress, Tower of Yenitsaroi, Tower of Blood, were some of these, the latter two due to its use as a prison for serious convicts, executed by Yenitsaroi, with its façade frequently covered in blood due to these executions. The name “White Tower” finally prevailed when a prisoner offered to paint it with whitewash, to gain his freedom.