Thessaloniki is a modern city with the population of 1.000.000 inhabitants. It is the second largest city in Greece with a history dated back to 2.300 years. Thos cosmopolitan city offers a varied mix of trendy shops and waterfront cafes, a real delight for shoppers. Tsimiski Street is the main shopping area consisting of many well known named shops and large shopping malls.
At the main square of the city, Aristotelis Square you will come across many artists and side stalls where you can purchase a variety of handicrafts.
And for those wanting more than shopping there is the opportunity to take in the historical sights of the city. There is the chance to see White Tower (the symbol of the city), the Galerius Arch, the Rotonda Monument, the Citadel and ancient city walls from where you are presented with a panoramic view of the city spread out before you. There is placed Byzantine Church of Saint Dimitrios the patron saint of Thessaloniki.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
White Tower Thessaloniki
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 m 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 Kalamaria, in the 18th century
The Janissary Tower in the 19th century
The Blood Tower in 19th century, since it served as a prison and a place of execution for long terms convicts.
Its current name comes 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 Nostra prize in 1988. From 1985 onwards, it has operated as an exhibition venue.
The White Tower is 33.9 m 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 Kalamaria, in the 18th century
The Janissary Tower in the 19th century
The Blood Tower in 19th century, since it served as a prison and a place of execution for long terms convicts.
Its current name comes 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 Nostra prize in 1988. From 1985 onwards, it has operated as an exhibition venue.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
