Inside Trigonion Tower in Ano Poli,
Thessaloniki
High above the centre of Thessaloniki, in the historic streets of Ano Poli, Trigonion Tower is one of the city’s most impressive viewpoints. Many visitors stop outside for the famous panorama, but the experience changes when you go inside the tower and climb to the rooftop. From there, the view opens in every direction, across the Byzantine walls, the old upper city, the port, the Thermaic Gulf, and, on a clear day, as far as Mount Olympus.
Trigonion Tower and the Byzantine Walls of Ano Poli
Trigonion Tower, also known as the Tower of
Alysseos or Chain Tower, stands at the edge of Thessaloniki’s old
fortifications. It is a popular stop for Greek visitors, international
tourists, cruise passengers, and hop-on hop-off buses exploring the upper city.
The area around it is known as Kastra, the Castle area, and it feels completely different from the busy streets below. Narrow lanes, stone walls, older houses, and wide views give Ano Poli the feeling of a historic village still connected to the modern city.
How to Get to Trigonion Tower from
Thessaloniki Centre
One practical way to reach the area is from
the city centre by metro, using Sintrivani station as a starting point. From
there, the walk up to Ano Poli and Trigonion Tower takes around thirty to forty
minutes, depending on your pace and photo stops.
It is a beautiful route, but it is also a
real climb, especially in summer. A taxi or bus can make the uphill part
easier, while the downhill walk back toward the centre is much more relaxed.
What to See Around Trigonion Tower
The tower is not the only reason to come
here. The surrounding Byzantine walls are among the most rewarding walks in
Thessaloniki, especially if you continue toward the nearby Heptapyrgion.
That fortress is a separate visit, with its
own ticket policy, and has a very different atmosphere because of its later use
as a prison. Close to the tower, the Holy Church of Saint Paul the Apostle is
also worth adding to the same route.
👉 Become a member and download the full guides:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpNQHHM3xG8Uc55C-OOcx7Q/join
🎁 Free Premium Travel Guide — Casa Batlló (Barcelona)
We’re giving away one of our Tier 1 premium guides for free — a full, long‑form, travel companion to help you plan your visit to Casa Batlló in Barcelona.
Download the free guide here: 👉 https://bit.ly/BTV_Battlo
If you enjoy this level of detail, consider joining to access our full library of premium guides.
Inside Trigonion Tower
Inside Trigonion Tower, the atmosphere changes immediately. The open city view disappears, and the heavy stone body of the monument takes over. The walls feel thick, practical, and defensive. This was not designed as a decorative building, but as part of the city’s military protection.
The tower was built in the late fifteenth century, after Thessaloniki came under Ottoman control in 1430. It reinforced a sensitive point in the upper fortifications, where the older walls needed stronger protection during the age of artillery.
As you move through the interior, the
curved structure, stonework, and compact spaces give a clear sense of how the
tower functioned as part of a defensive system.
Follow us at https://www.instagram.com/bestravelvideo/
https://www.tiktok.com/@bestravelvideo
Climbing to the Rooftop Viewpoint
The stairs inside require some care. They
are stone, quite high in places, and there is no elevator. The visit is not
long, but it feels physical. You are not only reading about the monument; you
are moving through the structure itself.
The rooftop is the highlight. The free
outdoor area beside the tower already offers one of the best views in
Thessaloniki, but the paid rooftop gives a much wider, almost 360-degree
perspective.
From above, the city unfolds in layers: the
castle area and Ano Poli behind you, the dense centre below, the port to one
side, and the Thermaic Gulf stretching into the distance.
Unlock the power of lifelike AI voices with ElevenLabs! Perfect for creators, narrators, and businesses. Try it now! Start your voice journey here: https://try.elevenlabs.io/s0jpinoze8xo
The 360° View Over Thessaloniki
On a clear day, Mount Olympus can appear on
the horizon beyond the water. This is where Thessaloniki’s geography becomes
easy to understand. The upper city controlled the heights, the walls protected
the settlement, and the port connected the city to trade, travel, and movement
across the region.
Ticket prices and opening hours can change, so it is best to confirm the latest official information before visiting. During this visit, entrance was five euros, but current published prices and access details may differ depending on season, category, and monument policy.
Ottoman History and the Chain Tower Name
Back inside, the tower’s military character
becomes even clearer. From the eighteenth century onward, the Ottomans used
parts of the structure for storing gunpowder and weapons. The spaces feel
compact and functional, with little decoration. Everything about the building
speaks of defence, control, and survival.
The name Chain Tower is one of the tower’s
older associations, while Trigonion is the name most visitors use today. These
different names reflect the layered history of Thessaloniki itself, where
Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern Greek identity often meet in the same monument.
Start here: free audio walking guide
https://www.patreon.com/posts/lighthouse-in-to-156256896
🎧 Begin with this full route:
Walk from the Tiber through Trastevere and climb step by step to a lighthouse above Rome, with the city opening beneath you.
This is a complete audio walking guide you can follow on location or listen to anywhere.
🔓 This guide is free.
🎧 Members get:
• extended routes and additional areas
• full-length audio walking guides
• downloadable versions
A Walk Through Ano Poli After the Visit
After the visit, the best way to continue is slowly. Walk along the Byzantine walls, explore the quieter streets of Ano Poli, and leave time for the nearby viewpoints. Traditional taverns are tucked into the surrounding streets, making the area a good place to stay for a meal after the climb.
Trigonion Tower is more than a photo stop
above Thessaloniki. From outside, it gives you one of the city’s classic views.
From inside and from the rooftop, it becomes a much deeper experience: a place
where the walls, the sea, the old city, and the modern skyline all come
together.
For a more detailed walking route to the area, you can also watch our City Walk Travels video showing how to reach Ano Poli and Trigonion Tower from Sintrivani metro station.
Before you leave, check out this video: