white tower of thessaloniki factswhite tower of thessaloniki facts

In 1912, as Greece gained control over the city, and the White Tower was substantially remodeled and its exterior was whitewashed. In the begging of 20th century Thessaloniki was incorporated into Kingdom of Greece. World History Encyclopedia. During the summer the Opening Hours are 8am to 8pm. Our publication has been reviewed for educational use by Common Sense Education, Internet Scout (University of Wisconsin), Merlot (California State University), OER Commons and the School Library Journal. A visit to this historic monument will offer you a journey through time, surpassing your expectations. Each of 7 floors is occupied by expositions dedicated to Thessaloniki: The White Tower is located in the center of Thessaloniki and it is 10 minutes walk along the seafront from the Aristotle square. It has 6 floors with an internal staircase, which twists and screw in contact with the outside wall. Thessaloniki is the second largest city of Greece, after Athens, the Greek capital, located in Northern Greece, central Macedonia. Fun - White Tower of Thessaloniki - Tripadvisor On this place there was another tower which belonged to the Byzantine defense fortifications. White Tower of Thessaloniki: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go Looking for hotels near White Tower of Thessaloniki? There was another two-story turret and various other buildings inside. After the liberation of the city of Thessaloniki in 1912 and up until 1983 hosted the citys air defense. to this day. White Tower | Thessaloniki It then housed the headquarters for Thessaloniki's air defense until 1983 when it became property of the state. Suggest edits to improve what we show. Information boards have been placed on selected ramparts, informing the visitor about what he sees today and what he saw in the past. The White Tower of Thessaloniki - History and Facts | History Hit The museum that is found within the White Tower presents exhibitions covering the citys history through time. by the king of Macedonia, Kassandros. Server encountered an error, if the problem remains, contact the page administrator. The White Tower is a fortification, cylindrical tower of 33,9m height, 70m perimeter and 22,7m diameter. If you are going to the museum by car, keep in mind that due to its location in the city center it is not possible to park the car near the museum. At the end of the XIX century Sultan Abdul Hamit II gave an order to urgently repaint the tower into a white color and never mention it as bloody in order the new authority wasnt associated with tyranny and despotism. One of the prisoners, a Jewish young man called Nathan Gilledi managed to whitewash the whole building himself in exchange for his freedom. By public transportation, you can take the buses 3K, 5, 6, 15, and 33 to the stop White Tower. These days the Museum is closed for visiting. Initially, it was one of the three towers of the Byzantine fortification of the city, the eastern end of the sea walls, in the place which the Tower was built, which remains to this day on the coast of Thessaloniki. var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0]; Some sources refer to the commander of the janissaries as Divan Efendi, while others with this title mention the commander of the Acropolis, that is, of the Eptapyrgio complex. The walls can still be seen above the city today and despite the many earthquakes, they are still standing. He later built many mosques, hammams, and other public structures. It would be an unforgivable omission for someone to go to Thessaloniki and not visit the White Tower. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/15967/the-white-tower-of-thessaloniki/. When in the 1912 Thessaloniki was liberated from the Ottoman rule, the Tower became a municipal property and was used as a radio beacon, meteorological laboratory of the University if Aristotle, also the artifacts found during the excavations were kept here, and the air defense was carried out in this tower, too. "The White Tower of Thessaloniki." The geographical position of Thessaloniki at the crossroad of sea and land trading roads, the transformations and the urban development, several important events of its history and the citys spiritual and cultural life are some of the main themes displayed thematically in different floors. In 1826 all rebellious Janissaries held in the tower were executed at the orders of Sultan Mahmud II. For that reason, it was also nicknamed the 'Red Tower. Cassander named the city after his wife, the sister of Alexander the Great. Grab a free audio guide to help navigate multimedia displays tracing the history, culture and commerce of Thessaloniki, then head to the top for sweeping views of the city, Thermaic Gulf and surrounding hills. Over 1 million properties worldwide. The XVIII century brought to the Tower the name of Kalamaria, and in the next century there appeared two names at once. In each section, there are two levels of information: in the central area of the floor, each topic is briefly developed, while in the perimeter rooms, there are applications for deepening its individual aspects, allowing visitors to choose the pace at which they will move. A Roman soldier, Dimitrios was killed around AD 306 at this former Roman bath site, Thessaloniki's New Waterfront is evidence that architecture can improve urban life through intelligent redesign of the space in which it is lived, Believed to have been founded around 1351 on the place where Paul preached in Thessaloniki, this secluded monastery blends fascinating history with some, Japanese architect Arata Isozaki created the M2, one of two waterfront buildings that house Thessaloniki's high-brow music scene. Its exact date is not known, but it is almost certain that it was built in the late 15th century, after the conquest of Thessaloniki by the Turks, and replaced an older Byzantine tower, which connected the eastern part of the fortification of Thessaloniki, which survives and today, with the sea, which was demolished in 1867. The most symbolic historical attraction of Thessaloniki, its White Tower, was built in the 15th century. Once Greece gained control of the city, the White Tower of Thessaloniki was substantially remodelled and its exterior whitewashed, hence the name White Tower. The Byzantine Museum of Culture opened in 1994, and the exhibits gradually began to be transferred to it. Even if youre not interested in Greek history, the top of the Tower overlooking Thermaikos and the city will steal your breath! Thessaloniki was founded in 316/315 BC. After visiting the museum don't miss the chance to enjoy your coffee on one of the boats stationed right by the tower! Through atmospheric images and sounds, multimedia touch screen applications and a number of items displayed the visitor will be informed of what he sees today in Thessaloniki and what once used to exist. In the context of this activity, we had the creation of the Tower. Looming over the waterfront, Thessaloniki's 15th-century White Tower (Lefks Prgos) is one of the city's most famous attractions and the star of sightseeing tours. This beloved symbol of the Thessaloniki at the waterfront is the center of activity, key to the city's branding, and one of the city's top sights. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. In 1983 the White Tower was transferred to the Ministry of culture of Greece, and since 1994 there is a museum here. During World War I, the White Tower served as a center of communications for the Allies, as well as a safe place for the storage of antiquities and other priceless artifacts from the ancient city. People can visit the tower, explore the museum, the four floors, the staircase and the roof. BEST Hotels near White Tower of Thessaloniki - Traveloka Combined tickets to the Byzantine Museum, the Archaeological Museum, White Tower, Roman Forum and Galerian Complex-Arched Hall, valid for three days, are 15/8. Travel inspiration straight to your inbox, 2022. Here are 10 must-see sites for any visiting history enthusiast. The empire needed a tower to defend and impress on such a prominent spot. At the same time, in 1916, one of its floors was used to store antiquities from the archeological activities of British forces in their area of responsibility. The White Tower is the most commonly known monument of Thessaloniki and the symbol of the city because of its prominent position, long history and imposive architecture. The White Tower from above - credits: discovergreece.com. You have entered an incorrect email address! These walls were demolished at the beginning of the 20th century, while it is unclear whether they were part of the original construction or a later addition destined to further enhance its defensive features. Its mast is what the Greek flag now flies from. Others say that the name was changed after the 1912 Greek reconquest. s.async = true; That flag flies not from a flagpole, but from a trophy of war. Throughout all of time of its existence, the White Tower changed several names. Due to its geopolitical location, Thessaloniki has always been a crossroads where people with different religious and cultural backgrounds met and coexisted for long periods of time. Historical Trips - Book your next historical adventure, 10 Best Ancient and Archaeological Sites in Crete, 10 Facts About Mary Shelley: The Woman Behind Frankenstein. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. Due to its location, the existence of the port, and its natural fortification, Thessaloniki has been an important strategic, transport, commercial, and cultural hub from ancient times until today. Most likely, the lintel marble sign at the entrance of the outer enclosure probably referred to the cannon, which was its main mission. (function(d, sc, u) { It is intended to help visitors and residents to get better acquainted with the city, its monuments and its museums. The White Tower of Thessaloniki ( Greek: Lefks Prgos; Turkish: Beyaz Kule; Ladino: Kuli Blanka) is a monument and museum on the waterfront of the city of Thessaloniki, capital of the region of Macedonia in northern Greece. Hundreds of history documentaries, ad free podcasts and subscriber rewards. Learn more Tue-Sun 8:30am-3pm This Tower replaced an older Byzantine fortification that the Ottoman Empire constructed to fortify the city's famous harbor sometime after the capture of Thessaloniki [] The museum is open every day. Safe for ships, open to sea communication, with rivers opening natural passages to the Balkan hinterland, Thessaloniki, a real crossroads of land and waterways, was destined to have the fate that few European cities were fortunate to have: a long, unbroken historical presence and the entity of a large city. s.src = u + '?v=' + (+new Date()); It was formerly believed that it was the work of the Venetians, but this has now been rejected. The tower dates from the period of the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent (1520- 1566). A very beautiful and informative museum inside the monument is dedicated to the citys history, its multicultural spirit and several other aspects of Thessaloniki. History Hit brings you the stories that shaped the world through our award winning podcast network and an online history channel. Fountoukis, A. Built on top of a Byzantine fortification around the 15th century, the White Tower was enclosed by defensive walls and served as a fort to strengthen the port and the coastline's defenses. Sinan was the chief architect and civil engineer of the Ottoman empire for decades he had a long and productive career. The present tower replaced an old Byzantine fortification, known to have been mentioned around the 12th century, that the Ottoman Empire reconstructed to fortify the city's fortress some time after Sultan Murad II captured Thessaloniki in 1430. AboutDudhsagar Waterfall 2017:D. Looking to explore the beauty of Greece? The Tower was the eastern end of the sea wall; there was another at the western end, and a third . World History Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. Revisiting Cleopatra: Screen Portrayals of the Iconic Pharaoh, Anne Bront: The Forgotten Sister Who Made a Mark on Victorian Literature, 10 Facts About Cecil B. DeMille: A Pioneer of Hollywoods Golden Age. 15 Interesting Facts About Thessaloniki - Thessaloniki Blog The White Tower of Thessaloniki. In other words, the tower was built by Suleiman the Magnificent in the year 942 AD, ie 1535 AD. History of Thessaloniki | Greeka Fountoukis, Athanasios. The White Tower, Thessaloniki Ancient Monument - enjoythessaloniki.com The Exhibitions are in Greek, but there are audio guides available in English,German, Turkish, and Russian. During World War I, the White Tower housed the Allied Transmission Center, and in 1916 a floor was used to preserve antiquities from archeological work in the area of responsibility of the British Expeditionary Force. It was surrounded by long defensive walls that were enclosing the area and were capable of supporting heavy guns. Get a combined ticket for the Byzantine Museum, Archaeological Museum, White Tower and Roman Forum which lasts for 3 days to make the most of Thessalonikis history. The buses 3, 5, 6, 33, 39, 78 stop at the City Hall bus stop. However, it should be mentioned that the White Tower, even before the revolution was a fighter of the "good fight" since, according to tradition, it was a "martyrdom" of many Christians. It's a strikingly, Sprawling in splendid incongruity amidst the souvenir shops and crperies of Plateia Navarinou, the ruins of this 3rd- to 4th-century palace remain, One of the most respected modern-art institutions in Greece, MOMus grew from an initial bequest of 30 modern masterpieces in 1979, and now exhibits over, This fascinating museum has plenty of treasures to please Byzantine buffs, plus simple explanations to introduce this long-lived empire and its culture to, Ground zero for Greek nationalism, this museum in a handsome late-19th-century mansion recounts how heroic Hellenes wrested Macedonia from both Turks and, South of the Rotunda on Egnatia, the Arch of Galerius (AD 303) celebrates the eponymous emperor's victory over the Persians in martial scenes carved into, Candlelight on gold chandeliers pierces the gloom in this stunning 8th-century church, modelled on its stanbul namesake. every first Sunday of the month from November 1 to March 31; October 28 the Greek national holiday The Okhi Day; April 18 the international Day of monuments and historical sites; the last week of September the European Culture Heritage days; March 6 the day of memory of Melina Mercouri. Official tourism website of Central Macedonia, 2021-2023 Visit-CentralMacedonia. The rumor that it is the work of Venetian craftsmen is definitively refuted by another internal inscription that mentions a major reconstruction with chores - that is, mandatory participation of the people- in 1619, and later reports state that it was the date of construction. The White Tower in Thessaloniki - credits: wikimedia.org. The outer cylinder rises until the fifth floor of the tower while the inner one consists of six floors, and thanks to this fact the building has a terrace which serves as a view deck. As the Ottoman Empire encouraged by the west, and England in particular underwent reforms, it needed an image overhaul. Thessaloniki itself was founded around 316/315 BC by Cassander, the King of Macedonia. After the liberation of Thessaloniki in 1912, the tower came to the Greek state and had various uses from time to time. Why Was Charlie Chaplin Investigated by the FBI? 2019 Inthessaloniki.com. TRAINOSE connects cities so that travelers can experience all that the illustrious region has to offer. It is at the eastern edge of the main part of the downtown, a kilometer and a half east of the first pier of the port. Nowadays the White Tower is not only a wonderful example of surviving greatest historical heritage but also an operating museum of Byzantine culture. The White Tower of Thessaloniki is the citys most recognizable site. Initially it was the Tower of the Janissaries the elite infantry of the Ottoman Empire. The White Tower of Thessaloniki- History and Present Thessaloniki is considered by many as one of the most vibrant and culturally interesting cities of Greece. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. The building is built of stone and bricks, it has a ground floor and six more attached over it. Read our Privacy Policy. Around the tower, there was a low octagonal enclosure, which we do not know when it was built, but we know its shape. Thessaloniki's iconic landmark, the 34m-high White Tower has a harrowing history as a prison and place of execution. Read below about the story of the White Tower, Thessalonikis trademark that never fails to amaze its visitors. The dating of logs used in the White Tower showed that they were cut in the year 1535, but there is a possibility that the logs were used in an extensive repair of the monument. when the Apostle Paul first visited her and taught in a Jewish synagogue. Can you list the top facts and stats about White Tower of Thessaloniki? On the occasion of the celebration of 2,300 years since the founding of Thessaloniki, it hosted the exhibition 'Thessaloniki - History, and Art,' while in 2001, the periodical exhibition 'Byzantine Hours - Everyday life in Byzantium.'. The White Tower of Thessaloniki (Illustration) - World History Encyclopedia During the Ottoman occupation of the city, it was used as a prison. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. In 2002, an exhibition of works by the painter and conservator of antiquities, Fotis Zachariou, was presented entitled Athos: Impressions and Memories. The exhibition space belongs administratively to the Museum of Byzantine Culture and, since 2006, has been permanently operating as the City Museum of Thessaloniki. However, there are doubts as to whether the tower of 1185 was located on the cape or further west, approximately at the height of the Royal Theater. The wall's existence only towards the city confirmed the seriousness of the riots that broke out in the city until the 18th century due to food problems. This enclosure was demolished at the beginning of the 20th century. The report was co-financed by the European Union and by the Greek government. One story goes that the structure was known as the Tower of Blood until a prisoner painted the tower white in exchange for his liberty in 1883, when it was renamed Lefkos Pyrgos (White Tower). Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. The White Tower of Thessaloniki (in greek Lefkos Pyrgos), is a cylindrical stone tower monument and museum in the city of Thessaloniki, capital of the Macedonian region of northern Greece. What today is the observation deck was a place for executions, and the tower was reportedly dark with their blood. During the Ottoman occupation, Thessaloniki retained its importance, being the largest urban centre in the European part of the Ottoman Empire, with a multiracial society. It has a circular shape and a height of 33.90 meters. On this cape, there was probably a small fortification tower as early as 1185, a work of the Byzantines. It has since been adopted as the symbol of the city. When you reach the top, words are useless. Why Did Elizabeth I Refuse to Name an Heir? At the beginning, it was named Tower of Lion, as stated by the Turkish inscription of 1535. The Tower had other additional constructions necessary for its operation as accommodation, such as fireplaces and latrines, inside the main building and warehouses and water tanks outside the main building. In 1883, by order of Sultan Abdul Hamid II, the tower was painted white and given the name White ("Beyaz Koule"). The White Tower is an integral part of the history of Thessaloniki. It was used as a fort enhancing the harbors defences, as a garrison and a prison. Where is Thessaloniki? Map of Thessaloniki, Greece | Greeka It had other names before that. White Tower of Thessaloniki - The guide for Greece, the Greek islands Entering the White Tower and the museum located inside it, we soon realize that we are in the heart of the city. White Tower Museum Thessaloniki. The historian Michael Hatzi Ioannou in 1888, in his book on monuments of the city, calls him "Bastille of Thessaloniki", where the death row inmates were slaughtered on its balcony, and blood stained its walls, while a cannon shot from the west of the city meant the execution of the death penalty. After all, all the city's religious groups emphasized that these were the special target of the Janissaries. White Tower has been adopted as the symbol of the city. Hong Kong Fo, By CarpediemRome more information Accept. Do you like it when everything is perfectly planned? The White Tower - credits: grece-bleue.net. It is built with stones, mortar, and partial use of bricks, while on the ramparts, on the roof of the entrance and the ground floor, and on the arch of the staircase it was built only with bricks. from modern historiography. The visitors will have the chance to experience a wonderful ride back in time from the day the city was born 23 centuries ago, up to its recent past and feel the spirit, the taste and the different cultures that shaped its identity. s.async = true; The historicity and the peculiar interior design of the fortification tower did not allow the necessary interventions for the White Tower to have the basic infrastructure of a modern museum building. The exhibition inside the White Tower - credits: lpth.gr.