Have you ever been inside a building and the story of it takes you aback? Have you ever thought about how many thousands of people have been to the same place before you, to feel awe for what has unfolded in it?
If you have, I know that you will understand how I feel every time I visit the White Tower of Thessloniki.
And of course I must say that it was not the first time I visited it, but every time the same emotions overwhelm me.
It is the emblem of the city, as we can not imagine something that refers to Thessaloniki and does not have the White Tower in it as a background.
But it could not be done in a different way, as it is an integral part of the city. Built next to the sea, bounded the end of the city in earlier years, as part of the sea fortification. Now a museum that signifies the history of it.
Its very particular architecture is impressive.
A cylinder shaped building (tower) of almost 35 meters and a diameter of about 25.
A tall, strong metal door lead the way inside.
It is divided into six floors which are connected by an internal spiral staircase,
while on each floor there is a central hall
and around that, there are many small rooms with low arched openings as doors.
In its first form around the 12th century it was part of the fortifications of the city that then belonged to the Byzantine Empire mainly due to its location next to the sea. However, with the fall of the city and the Turkish occupation, the Ottomans built this tower (around the second half of the 15th century) as part of the new fortifications, but also served as the headquarters of the "yenitsaroi" (military corps) and later as a prison for persons sentenced to death.
The railings before all the windows, so no man could escape.
In fact, because they brutally tortured the prisoners there, the tower was also called the "Tower of Blood", as it was often reddened by the blood of those who were tortured there.
The urban legend also says that from time to time the prisoners were made to paint the tower white so that the blood would not be visible by hanging them from its ramparts, so that gave him the name.
After the liberation of Thessaloniki, the white tower had various functions, but its main one for the last fifty years is museum, which narrates the evolution of the city from antiquity to the present day.
On its six floors today there is a permanent exhibition that tells the history of the city from ancient times
Antiquities found in the area of Thessaloniki
to the present day. Besides, Thessaloniki has a long history as it has been an important commercial port since ancient times,
Coins used in the trade
Pottery that was traded in ancient and byzantine times
a multicultural society from many communities: Greeks, Ottomans, Jews, Slavs, Franks, etc.
So on the six floors, we marched from ancient Thessaloniki to the Ottoman Empire and finally the liberation and integration into the Greek state. And,of course, the roles that the city played in its trade, in its culture, in its architecture.
Many great bouzouki players started from Thessaloniki as well as many writers, painters, sculptors etc
Thessaloniki has been a mother city for many communities as I said before and for many refugee groups, and such a spectacular could not be missing.
For me, this section is very touching, since it is the human stories that compose the story of a city.
But the best point of the tower is the balcony from where you can see the whole city and reach your eye to the depths of the horizon.
even though it was very windy that day it was worth going up and relaxing.
On all floors there is video and photographic material to learn about the history of the city. but this building is its living history.
If you visit Thessaloniki, you must visit the White Tower.
It is what the Eiffel Tower is for Paris (though smaller), the Colosseum for Rome, the Acropolis for Athens.
Standing still for five hundreds and more years, keeping the memory and the history of the city alive.
Thank you for reading!
All pictures were taken by me.Written with the help of my mobile phone
Thessaloniki is a beloved destination. Been there 4 times.
Χριστός Ανέστη!
🎼Θεσσαλονίκη μου, μεγάλη φτωχομάνα. 🎼
Even if I live in a city nearby, I mostly go for work or other obligations, so when I have the time, I try to visit as many places I can.
Thank you for sharing my 14 yo son was there 2 years ago but he never told me about this interesting historical building lol
Thank you for your comment.
Maybe he wanted to keep it for himself... (I am just kidding)
It is magnificent both the building for its architecture and the history behind it. Hope you enjoyed it through my post.
Considering the financial situation in Greece. I should be able to buy that in 2 years lol!
Not if I buy it first, lolol!
Thank you, Amir, for stopping by.
Beautiful shots! That is really cool. I know exactly what you mean when you say you wonder how many people have been there before you. I think of that quite often when I am in a historic place. I was in an old theater a while ago and I sat down in one of the seats. My wife asked what I was doing and I said just imagine all the people who have sat here before me. Maybe some famous people even. I found your post on Listnerds. Awesome stuff!
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, the historic places give you this feeling. Sometimes, when I am inside a place like that, I close my eyes and try to hear the breath of the place. The atmosphere around it.
I am glad you liked my post.
Cheers!
What an awesome experience. Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing on ListNerds.
Thank you for your kind comment. It was a great experience and it is every time we visit this place.
A landmark of the city