Thessaloniki’s White Tower Named ‘Treasure of European Film Culture’

22 new destinations have been added to “Treasures of European Film Culture” list of places of a symbolic nature for European cinema. Photo source: European Film Academy

Thessaloniki’s landmark White Tower, the meeting point of generations of Greeks and visitors, has been added to the European Film Academy’s (EFI) “Treasures of European Film Culture” list on the occasion of this year’s 35th European Film Awards to be held in Reykjavík, Iceland on December 10.

Built in in the 15th century above Byzantine fortifications, the White Tower is a symbol of Thessaloniki and considered to be one of the city’s most important architectural monuments overlooking the main seaside promenade.

The White Tower is one of 22 sites added to the EFI list, which also includes the Café des Deux Moulins in Paris, La Casa Rossa in Stromboli (Italy), the Circulo de Bellas Artes in Madrid, Quilter Street in London, the Ribeira do Porto in Porto, (Portugal), The Notting Hill Bookshop in London, and Trevi Fountain in Rome.

Thessaloniki’s White Tower known as “Lefkos Pyrgos” has featured in the film Landscape in the Mist by Palme d’Or-winning Greek director Theo Angelopoulos. The film won the Silver Lion at the 1988 Venice Film Festival and the European Film Award for Best Film 1989, among other awards.

The White Tower in Thessaloniki. Photo source: European Film Academy (picture by Annatsach)

The EFI’s “Treasures of European Film Culture” list consists of 35 iconic locations that have featured in European cinema and aims to aims to raise awareness to the importance of safeguarding these sites.

Inside the White Tower, visitors can see an exhibition showcasing the city of Thessaloniki and its history throughout time.

Thessaloniki locations have featured in dozens of films in the last few years as part of a drive by local government to establish the northern port city as a prime international filming location.

The 4,400-member-strong European Film Academy was founded in 1989 by some of Europe’s finest filmmakers with the aim to advance the interests of the European film industry. Past presidents have included Ingmar Bergman, Wim Wenders and Agnieszka Holland. Today, Matthijs Wouter Knol is CEO and director.