The iconic Byzantine Walls of Thessaloniki, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are set to receive a stunning new lighting treatment.
A press conference on Wednesday at the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki unveiled the ambitious project, led by Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, alongside Vivian Bouzali, Chief Corporate Affairs and Communication Officer for METLEN, and project designer Eleftheria Deko. Thessaloniki Mayor Stelios Angeloudis was also in attendance, highlighting the city’s commitment to this significant cultural endeavor.
An initiative for the cultural promotion of Thessaloniki
The comprehensive lighting study, funded by the METLEN company, is a key part of the Ministry of Culture’s broader strategy to promote Greece’s rich cultural heritage and establish new cultural development hubs. Eleftheria Deko’s office is spearheading the design, with implementation planned in two phases.
The first phase will illuminate the northwestern and northeastern sections of the Acropolis walls, as well as the historic Eptapyrgio, both internally and externally. The second phase will focus on lighting the western walls of the city. The entire project is slated for completion by the end of 2026.
This extensive illumination will unify the vast architectural ensemble of the Byzantine city, underscoring its historical importance and strengthening its status as a prominent landmark.
Historical significance of Thessaloniki’s Byzantine Walls
Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni underscored the profound significance of the walls: “The walls of Thessaloniki, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, are one of the most imposing and important fortifications of the Byzantine Empire.
“Today, surviving for approximately 4.5 kilometers, they continue to shape the cultural landscape of Thessaloniki and constitute valuable documents of the city’s long history.” She noted the Ministry’s consistent dedication to their protection and promotion, highlighting ongoing conservation efforts that will conclude in late 2026, benefiting the urban landscape of the city’s western areas.
“Thanks to the generous sponsorship of METLEN,” Mendoni added, “this uniquely valuable fortification complex, a landmark of Thessaloniki, is brightened and illuminated, making understandable to all, citizens and visitors, the size, prominent importance and historical role of the city. The lighting highlights the volume, structure and geometry of the walls, while at the same time offering a new viewing experience for residents and visitors.”
Eleftheria Deko, the project designer, highlighted the transformative power of light: “Lighting has power at night, but it also maintains its symbolism during the day. In addition to illuminating a monument, it can also narrate the history, culture, and timelessness of the monument. And in this case, the entire city of Thessaloniki.”
She emphasized that the design prioritizes respecting the monument’s historical and architectural character, aiming for clear visibility from both near and distant viewpoints without disturbing residents.
The enduring legacy of Thessaloniki’s Byzantine Walls
The Byzantine Walls of Thessaloniki stand as one of the most imposing fortifications of the Byzantine Empire. First fortified by Cassander in 316/315 BC, the city’s strong walls played a crucial role in protecting its inhabitants for centuries.
During the Byzantine era, the fortifications evolved into an approximately 8 km long perimeter, reinforced with towers and a rampart, culminating at the Acropolis. The Seven Towers, founded during the late Byzantine era, served as the last fortified refuge for citizens, later becoming an administrative center during Ottoman rule and a prison from the 1890s.
Today, approximately 4.5 km of the original perimeter survives, continuing to dominate the modern city’s landscape and define its historical core. These surviving sections, adorned with numerous towers and gates, serve as valuable testaments to Thessaloniki’s enduring history, preserving interventions by both renowned emperors and anonymous contributors who tirelessly restored their integrity after various disasters.
With the upcoming illumination, the public will be treated to a new visual experience, dramatically showcasing the grandeur, splendor, and historical significance of Thessaloniki.