Built in the 4C on Hellenistic (300-100 BC) foundations, the ramparts were altered in the 14C by the Byzantines and in the 15C by the Turks, who employed Venetian engineers. Skirting the walls on the outside, one sees a section built of massive stones which dates from the Hellenistic period. After passing within the walls to gain entrance to the acropolis, one reaches the Chain Tower (Dingirlí Koulé) dating from the 15C. From near the large tower, the view extends over the town of Thessaloníki and the bay.

This former Turkish bath-house, built in 1444 by Sultan Mourad II, is the largest in Greece. It had separate facilities for men and women; the men's section is decorated with stalactites. The inhabitants of Thessaloníki continued to use it, under the name of Loutrá Parádissos (''Baths of Paradise''), until 1968, when it was closed and handed over to the archeology department.

Originally incorporated in the ramparts, the White Tower (Lefkós Pírgos) was the main defensive element on the seafront. The Turks rebuilt the tower in the 15C and used it as a prison for the Janissaries, the Sultan's guards who betrayed their master. The guards who revolted against Mahmoud II in 1826 were confined to the tower and massacred. The building became known as the ''Bloody Tower'', an unwelcome title which the Turks decided to suppress by whitewashing the walls and renaming it the White Tower. The tower houses temporary exhibits.

Originally incorporated in the ramparts, the White Tower (Lefkós Pírgos) was the main defensive element on the seafront. The Turks rebuilt the tower in the 15C and used it as a prison for the Janissaries, the Sultan's guards who betrayed their master. The guards who revolted against Mahmoud II in 1826 were confined to the tower and massacred. The building became known as the ''Bloody Tower'', an unwelcome title which the Turks decided to suppress by whitewashing the walls and renaming it the White Tower. The tower houses temporary exhibits.