During your visit to Thessaloniki, make sure to also visit the Heptapyrgion fortress, a faithful companion to Thessaloniki from its earliest moments until today. In this text, you will get acquainted with its history, architecture, and role throughout the centuries. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable view from its impressive walls over the entire Thessaloniki and the Thermaic Gulf.

The Heptapyrgion fortress (Ancient Greek: Ἑπταπύργιον; Modern Greek: Επταπύργιο), also known by its Ottoman name Yedi Kule (Γεντί Κουλέ). Despite its name, which means “Fortress with Seven Towers” in both languages. Although it has ten towers, the name was probably inspired by the Yedikule fortress in the then Constantinople.

Located at the northeastern end of the Thessaloniki walls, within the Acropolis. It consists of two parts: the Byzantine fortress, consisting of ten towers with intertower spaces and the perimeter, as well as newer prison buildings, built inside and outside the fortress.

History of the Thessaloniki Fortress - from the founding of the city to today

The fortress and walls in Thessaloniki are creations of earlier times because they were necessary for fortifying the city, and their creation dates back to the time of its foundation. The fortress took its final form during the time of Theodosius the Great, in the late 4th century AD. What we see today is the work of the Palaiologos dynasty (14th century AD).

Eptapyrgio, like the rest of Thessaloniki, fell into the hands of the Turks in 1430. The only addition by the Turks to the castle is the tower at the central entrance to the fortification.

Thessaloniki, as historical facts suggest, was walled immediately after its foundation by the king of the Macedonian dynasty, Cassander in 315 BC. Later, King Antigonus chose Thessaloniki as the safest place to confront the plundering King Pyrrhus of Epirus in 285 BC. A few years later, in 279 BC, a terrible attack by Celtic raiders was defeated right in front of the walls of Thessaloniki.

The walls saved Thessaloniki again in the 1st century BC when barbarian Thracian tribes besieged the city. According to the testimony of the Roman orator Cicero, who was in Thessaloniki in 58 BC because he was exiled from Rome. To counter this threat, the people of Thessaloniki were forced to quickly build various fortifications on the Acropolis of the present Upper Town and repair the walls in many parts. The secure walls of the city also helped followers of Pompey and other senators to seek protection within the city during the Roman Civil War (49-48 BC).

Structure of the Thessaloniki Walls - Construction Technique and Defensive Function

The Thessaloniki walls formed a quadrangle, descending towards the sea on two sides (eastern and western walls), while the other two walls were the coastal wall and the Acropolis wall on the hill. On average, they were 10-12 meters high and about 8 km long. In most of the fortress, there was another wall, called the outer wall. Two walls were intended to create lines of defense against enemies, while outside them, for a long time, there was a moat filled with seawater and wooden bridges that were destroyed over time.

The walls, about 10 cubits wide (about 4.60 m), were built of stone and brick - “belts” - every 2-3 meters, which in certain places form arches. Near the gates, the wall construction was more complex, and mainly stone and marble corners were used. Also, broken statues and architectural elements from other collapsed buildings were incorporated at many locations.

Gates of the Thessaloniki Fortress

The well-known gates of the Thessaloniki fortress today are:

  • Roman Gate (near the White Tower),
  • Kasandrinos Gate (on today’s Syntrivani Square),
  • Lete Gate (at the western end of Agiou Dimitriou Street),
  • New Golden Gate (at the eastern end of Agiou Dimitriou Street),
  • Golden Gate (on today’s Dimokratias Square, or Vardaris),
  • Gialos Gate (at the location of the current port),
  • Trigoniou Tower (Greek: Πύργος Τριγωνίου - Triangular Tower), and
  • the gate dedicated to Anna Palaiologos that still exists today and is located in the Upper Town, near Trigoniou Tower.

Infamous Turkish Prison from the 19th Century - Yedi Kule

Between 1890 and 1989, the fortress was turned into a prison. In this transformation, existing structures inside were demolished, of which there is no trace today. Changes to the walls were not significant, although their primary role was now reversed: once used to protect the inhabitants from external threats, they now began to serve to isolate prisoners from the outside world. References to the infamous Yedi Kule prison abound in Greek songs, the famous rebetika of that period.

In 1990, the care of the fortress was transferred to the Ministry of Culture and has been under state protection since then, also listed on UNESCO’s list. New buildings were constructed along both sides of the walls to improve the functionality of the new prison. The inner courtyard was divided by a fence into five separate sections, with a central watchtower located in the center. The prison had a chapel and other annexes, while the annex with the northeast tower was demolished during World War II. Within the external buildings on the southern side of the fortress, the administration was housed, the women’s prison, and on the west, isolation cells were located.

Thessaloniki Acropolis

On the highest part of Thessaloniki from ancient times, during the fortification of the city, the Acropolis was formed. It represented the second level of the fortified area, where the population would seek refuge in case the city was taken by enemies. In this part, the walls were high, the towers were densely built next to each other, and the terrain allowed for the existence of a rampart.

The towers on the northern side are parts of the early Christian wall of the Acropolis, while the towers on the southern side were probably added during the Middle Byzantine period (around the 12th century), forming the enclosed core of the fortress. Of the seven towers of the fortress, the central one at the entrance is the work of the Turks, from 1431. It was built immediately after the city’s conquest (1430) by a certain Tsaous bei. This newest addition is the Yendi tower, after which the entire fortification was named.

A monument, sufficiently burdened with memories from recent past, which its new use not only did not erase but made sure to preserve and display within the setting on the ground floor of one of the newer buildings in the complex, where today we can see the development of this magnificent fortification throughout its history.

Visit to the Thessaloniki Fortress - Opening Hours

Even for those who may not be history enthusiasts and various fortifications, it is highly recommended to visit the Thessaloniki fortress located on a hill about 200 meters above sea level, offering an incredible view of the entire city, the Thermaic Gulf, and Mount Olympus in the background.

Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Opening hours of the towers hosting the “Democracy” exhibition and the connecting hallway: Monday - Sunday 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Free entrance
Address: Eptapyrgiou 40, Thessaloniki
Location on the map

Thessaloniki is an inexhaustible treasure trove of exploration and a top tourist destination for world tour operators. Whether exploring the Byzantine heritage or savoring the flavors of its rich gastronomic culture, Thessaloniki will always surprise you with new discoveries and captivate you with its charm and friendly embrace.

Find more useful information about Thessaloniki in our Thessaloniki Guide.

We are always here to help you explore Greece! Follow us for the latest information, useful tips and authentic experiences to spend an unforgettable vacation in Greece!

We offer over 3,000 accommodations. Choose the right one for you and your family HERE.

Follow us on social networks where we regularly share exclusive offers, discounts and special arrangements for vacations in Greece as well as information, advice and useful news.

Facebook:Nikana.gr
Instagram: @nikana.gr
Tiktok: nikana.gr
Facebook grupa: Live from Greece
YouTube kanal @NikanaTravel
Write to us at e-mail: nikana@nikana.gr
 
Our site nikana.gr is the leading source of information about Greece.