In Thessaloniki, you can find the quite well-preserved remains of the city fortifications. The oldest walls were built as early as in the 2nd century BC, soon after the city was founded. In the 1st century BC (around 55), the Acropolis was constructed on a strategic place to protect the city against Thracian raids. The latter constructed walls were approximately 8 km long, with only 4 km that have been preserved till today. Their first section of it was built at the end oof the 4th century AD under the rule of the emperor Theodosius in the western  part of the city (the today’ western outskirts of the large city centre). During the following years, the walls were enlarged and their defence function was further reinforced (their height was raised up to 12 m and defence towers and gateways were constructed).

Along the eastern part of the walls, you can walk up to the Thessaloniki acropolis where the fortress from the Byzantine era can be found, Heptapyrgion (The Fortress of Seven Towers) or Kastro which is freely accessible for the public. Its oldest parts were built in the 14th century, then the fortress was enlarged little by little with more towere being built, and its role was changing – around 1890 it served as a prison, for example. The interesting thing is that for its construction, architectural elements of the old Roman historical sites were used plentifully; not only those in the immediate proximity of the fortrress, but also from the more remote sites (e.g. from the hippodrome that used to stand in the southern part of the city). Therefore the fortress walls include various column capitals, steles with inscriptions, marble slabs with reliefs, etc.

Video of the city walls

Video