White Tower (Thessaloniki, Greece)
City:
Thessaloniki
State, Province, Region, or District:
Country:
Greece
Overview
The White Tower of Thessaloniki is an iconic 15th-century prison tower standing 112 feet tall and 75 feet in diameter. During the period of Ottoman rule, the tower became a notorious prison and the scene of numerous mass executions. In 1912, Greece gained control over the city and the White Tower was substantially remodeled with its exterior being whitewashed. The White Tower has been adopted as the symbol of the city.
Geography & Location
The White Tower in Thessaloniki, Greece, is located on the city's waterfront, in a square named White Tower Square.
Historical & Archaeological Background Information
The exact date of its construction is hidden in the mists of time. The initial suggestion that it was perhaps of Venetian construction, has not been accepted by archaeologists. Most likely it was built during the early Ottoman period, sometime after 1530. It is believed by some that the architect of this defensive fortress was Mimar Sinan, who also built a very similar tower in the port of Valona in Albania. What is certain though is that this impressive piece of architecture was built on top of a pre-existing Byzantine building.
Architecture
The White Tower takes the form of a cylindrical drum 23 m (75 ft) in diameter with a height of 34 m (112 ft) above ground level, on top of which is a turret 12 m (39 ft) in diameter and 6 m (20 ft) high. Some of the embrasures in the outer wall of the tower are reached by a spiral ramp; others are accessed from a central room on each of the six floors.
Places of Interest
White Tower Museum
Virtual Visit
The White Tower is perhaps the most recognizable spot in Thessaloniki and is the emblem of the city.