Heptapyrgion Fortress, Thessaloniki
The Heptapyrgion Fortress is an imposing ancient structure with a long history. The fortress is also known as Yedi Kule. While the name translates to "Fortress of Seven Towers," the fortress actually features ten towers that were built at different times.
The Heptapyrgion's northern towers were either built during the fourth century with Thessaloniki's original walls or during the ninth century. The southern towers were probably built during the 12th century.
The Ottomans conquered Thessaloniki in the 15th century and rebuilt the fortress. Under Ottoman rule, the fort served as the city's military governor's residence.
During the later 19th century, the fortress was converted into a prison. The prison held political prisoners during World War II. In 1989, the prison facilities were relocated.
The Ministry of Culture took over the Heptapyrgion Fortress and began restoration work. Visitors are welcome to explore the eerie fortress and enjoy the fabulous views.
The Heptapyrgion's northern towers were either built during the fourth century with Thessaloniki's original walls or during the ninth century. The southern towers were probably built during the 12th century.
The Ottomans conquered Thessaloniki in the 15th century and rebuilt the fortress. Under Ottoman rule, the fort served as the city's military governor's residence.
During the later 19th century, the fortress was converted into a prison. The prison held political prisoners during World War II. In 1989, the prison facilities were relocated.
The Ministry of Culture took over the Heptapyrgion Fortress and began restoration work. Visitors are welcome to explore the eerie fortress and enjoy the fabulous views.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Thessaloniki. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Heptapyrgion Fortress on Map
Sight Name: Heptapyrgion Fortress
Sight Location: Thessaloniki, Greece (See walking tours in Thessaloniki)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Thessaloniki, Greece (See walking tours in Thessaloniki)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Thessaloniki, Greece
Create Your Own Walk in Thessaloniki
Creating your own self-guided walk in Thessaloniki is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Thessaloniki Waterfront Tour
The Mediterranean has always been an integral part of Thessaloniki鈥檚 appeal. The city's orientation toward the sea is largely due to the vision of Ernest H茅brard, the French urban planner and architect, who redesigned the downtown area after the devastating fire of 1917.
To really get the taste of Thessaloniki you need to visit not just its historical landmarks, but also those spots... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
To really get the taste of Thessaloniki you need to visit not just its historical landmarks, but also those spots... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Thessaloniki Introduction Walking Tour
Thessaloniki is Greece's second-largest city as well as its second major political, industrial, commercial, and economic center.
Historically, Thessaloniki co-ruled the Byzantine Empire along with Constantinople. But its history goes back even further than that. Cassander of Macedon originally founded the city in 315 BC. Cassander named the city after his wife, Thessalonike. Thessalonike... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Historically, Thessaloniki co-ruled the Byzantine Empire along with Constantinople. But its history goes back even further than that. Cassander of Macedon originally founded the city in 315 BC. Cassander named the city after his wife, Thessalonike. Thessalonike... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Thessaloniki Upper Town Walking Tour
Thessaloniki's Upper Town (Ano Poli) is the most ancient part of the city, aged approximately 2,300 years. Being also the highest part of Thessaloniki, dominated by the Acropolis with the Byzantine-/Ottoman-era fort known as Heptapyrgion (Eptapyrgio), from here on a clear day you can see way across the gulf, as far as Mount Olympus, some 80 km (50 miles) away, towering over the horizon in all... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles