White Tower: new lighting switched on — what comes next for Thessaloniki’s walls
The tower’s lighting project is complete. Other works covered by the same donation are planned for January 2027; a separate EU-funded project has a 2028 completion target.
The White Tower’s new lighting entered service on 27 October 2026, according to the Culture Ministry’s announcement and ERT’s report. This completed intervention concerns the tower itself; lighting work at other Thessaloniki monuments follows separate schedules.
Changes to the night-time view
Eleftheria Deko’s practice prepared the lighting design. It provides for highlighting the tower’s volume and stonework, directed beams intended to limit light spilling into the surroundings, and different dynamic lighting scenarios for the upper section on special occasions.
These descriptions reflect the design announced by the ministry. They are not accompanied by published measurements of energy savings or reductions in light pollution.
The donation covers more than the tower
The ministry identifies a €2.5 million METLEN donation covering the White Tower and Byzantine fortifications, including studies, lighting equipment, electrical installations and the control system. This is the overall intervention’s funding, not a tower-only budget.
The same donation covers the Heptapyrgion, sections of the northwestern and eastern Byzantine walls and the intermediate Acropolis wall. These works are scheduled for completion in January 2027; they are not presented as already delivered.
A separate project near Egnatia Street
A separate lighting project began on 15 October 2026, funded through the EU-supported “Central Macedonia 2021–2027” programme. It covers the Rotunda, the Arch of Galerius, Bey Hamam, Panagia Chalkeon, the Holy Apostles and part of the eastern walls. Thessaloniki Municipality funded the study, and completion is planned for 6 March 2028.
Switching on the lighting does not announce changes to White Tower visiting hours or ticket prices. The future milestones are scheduled targets, not confirmation that work is complete.
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