White Tower of Thessaloniki, Ottoman fortification tower at waterfront, Thessaloniki, Greece
The White Tower is a round stone structure right by the sea that rises 33.9 m (111 feet) above the waterfront promenade. Thick walls enclose six floors connected by an interior staircase, while windows at different heights look outward.
The tower was built in the 15th century as part of Ottoman fortifications after the conquest of the city. Later it served as a prison and experienced a symbolic transformation in the 19th century that gave it its present name.
Visitors today climb a spiral staircase through the floors and experience daily life from different periods of the city. Each level displays everyday objects, clothing and tools that help understand the lives of past inhabitants.
The entrance is located on the waterfront promenade and is easy to reach on foot, while the interior spiral staircase requires physical effort. Audio guides are available in several languages to explain the history during the tour.
The original name was Tower of Blood until a prisoner in the late 19th century whitewashed the walls and received a pardon for it. This action changed not only the color but also the symbolic perception of the structure in the city.
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