Trigoniou Tower, Thessaloniki

The Trigonion Tower was constructed during the late Byzantine period, in the late 15th century, and was later adapted by the Ottomans after their capture of Thessaloniki in 1430. Rather than being built after the Ottoman conquest, the structure was reinforced and modified to accommodate artillery, reflecting the transition from medieval siege warfare to gunpowder-based defense.

It forms part of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage List, included within the Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessaloniki. The tower occupies a strategically critical point along the northeastern section of the walls, where the defenses turn toward the sea and were historically exposed to heavy attack.

During the Ottoman period, the tower was also known as the Chain Tower or Belted Tower, names derived from a horizontal stone relief encircling its midsection that resembles a belt. It functioned as an artillery platform and armory, guarding both the landward approaches and the coastal zone below. The tower rises to a height of approximately 72 feet and measures about 79 feet in diameter, giving it a powerful, cylindrical profile distinct from earlier square or rectangular towers.

Today, the Trigonion Tower is often referred to as “Thessaloniki’s balcony”. From this vantage point, visitors can look across the Upper Town, the dense historic fabric of the old city, and the Thermaic Gulf beyond. On clear days, the outline of Mount Olympus, about 93 miles away, can be seen on the horizon. The open space around the tower makes it a popular gathering point for both locals and visitors, especially at sunset.