Guarding Thessaloniki’s waterfront, the cylindrical White Tower evolved from Ottoman fort and prison to museum and emblem. Lime‑mortar masonry, timber floors, and spiral stairs face marine salts, wind, and crowding. Conservation cycles clean stone, stabilize joints, and manage roof drainage while exhibitions interpret Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern city histories against Thermaic Gulf views.
Raised in the 15th century within Ottoman defenses, the tower later served as a notorious prison (once called the “Tower of Blood”). After the city’s 1912 incorporation into Greece, it was symbolically whitewashed and adopted as a civic icon.
Circular masonry walls, narrow embrasures, and timber decks create stacked rooms around a central core. Marine exposure and salts require vigilant joint repair, capillary break strategies, and roof water control.
Exhibitions present Thessaloniki’s long timeline across Byzantine trade, Ottoman rule, and modern growth. Compact stairs, safety rails, and timed entry keep flows manageable to the roof terrace.
Go early for cooler temperatures and clear gulf panoramas; pair with the waterfront promenade and Archaeological Museum.
