Thessaloniki’s iconic White Tower has been officially added to the European Film Academy’s (EFA) prestigious list of Treasures of European Film Culture.
The announcement was marked by a ceremony on November 7 in White Tower Square during the 66th Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
Organised by the Festival in collaboration with the EFA and the National Centre of Audiovisual Media and Communication, and supported by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Thessaloniki City and the Museum of Byzantine Culture, the event highlighted the Tower’s cultural and cinematic significance.
EFA Board Chairman Mike Downey noted, “The White Tower is the first monument in Greece to join this growing network, which reflects the richness and magic of European cinema. It carries a long history as the symbol of Thessaloniki and has served as the backdrop for numerous films by Theo Angelopoulos, arguably the most important figure in Greek cinema.”
Since 2008, the White Tower has hosted a permanent exhibition on Thessaloniki’s history, from its founding in 316 BC to the 20th century, showcasing the city’s cultural heritage through multimedia displays and minimal archaeological artefacts.
Its inclusion in the EFA cinematic treasure map underscores both its historical legacy and Thessaloniki’s enduring connection to the art of film, reinforcing the Tower as a symbol of stories that unite Europe’s past and present.
