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Ladadika in Thessaloniki, Macedonia and Thrace, Greece — Ελλάδα (Southeastern Europe, Balkan Peninsula)
 

White Tower

Λευκος Πυργος

 
 
White Tower Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2015
1. White Tower Marker
Inscription. The White Tower, which came to be the symbol of Thessaloniki by coincidence, was built in the late 15th century on the site of an older Byzantine tower, where the eastern wall and the sea wall met.

The White Tower is 33.9 meters high and comprises a ground floor and six storeys with a turret at the top. Up until the early 20th century, the Tower was surrounded by a low octagonal wall, which was probably built in 1535/36; three of the corners were reinforced with smaller towers.

The Tower has had many names: “Lion’s Tower” in the 16th century, “The Fortress of Kalahari” in the 18th century, the “Janissary Tower” and the “Blood Tower” in the 19th century, since it served as a prison and a place of execution for long-term convicts.

Its current name came to be in 1890, when the Tower was whitewashed by a convict in exchange for his freedom.

After the liberation of Thessaloniki in 1912 and its unification with the Greek state, the White Tower has hosted the city’s air defense, the meteorological laboratory of Aristotle University and various Sea Scout groups.

In 1983, the Tower was ceded to the Ministry of Culture and its restoration began; this project was awarded the Europa Rostra prize in 1988. From 1985 onwards, it has operated as an exhibition venue.
 
Topics. This historical marker is
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listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.
 
Location. 40° 37.589′ N, 22° 56.912′ E. Marker is in Ladadika, Macedonia and Thrace, in Thessaloniki. Marker is on Ethnikis Aminis east of Nikiforou Foka, on the right when traveling east. This marker is located in the downtown business district, very near the waterfront, in a public park, along a walkway, that is just in front of the structure that is a well known local landmark, named the White Tower. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Eth Aminis 2, Ladadika, Macedonia and Thrace 546 21, Greece. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within walking distance of this marker. Thessaloniki (here, next to this marker).
 
White Tower Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2015
2. White Tower Marker
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of a photograph showing the White Tower from an earlier era, with a low octagonal wall surrounding it.
White Tower Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2015
3. White Tower Marker
View of two markers (featured marker to the right) situated along a street sidewalk, with the base of the White Tower in the background.
White Tower Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2015
4. White Tower Marker
View looking east, along the waterfront roadway, of the marker, situated along the sidewalk, between the street and the base of the White Tower.
White Tower image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2015
5. White Tower
View, looking northeast, of the White Tower.
White Tower Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2015
6. White Tower Marker
View, looking northwest, of the White Tower.
Thessaloniki waterfront image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2015
7. Thessaloniki waterfront
View of the Thessaloniki waterfront, as seen from just in front of the White Tower.
White Tower image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2015
8. White Tower
Distant view of the White Tower as seen through the front window of the tour bus.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 399 times since then and 3 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on June 25, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.   8. submitted on July 7, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.

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Mar. 29, 2024