Monument · Modern (1997)

The Umbrellas

Aktualisiert 2026Zu Fuß geprüftOn the New Waterfront (Nea Paralia), by the Thessaloniki Concert Hall

A cluster of stainless-steel umbrellas striding up out of the boardwalk into the sky — George Zongolopoulos first showed the work at the 1995 Venice Biennale and installed this 13-metre version on the waterfront in 1997, the year Thessaloniki was European Capital of Culture. It is now the emblem of the redesigned New Waterfront and the city's single most photographed modern landmark, especially at sunset.

The steel Umbrellas sculpture by Zongolopoulos on the Thessaloniki waterfront, silhouetted against a golden sunset over the gulf — The Umbrellas · Modern (1997)

Epoche

Modern (1997)

Lage

Nea Paralia, ~25 min walk SE of the White Tower

Eintritt

Free (open public sculpture)

Öffnungszeiten

Always open

Benötigte Zeit

15–20 minutes (longer at sunset)

Bewertung

4.7★ · 16,381 Bewertungen

Öffnungszeiten und Preise zuletzt 2026 geprüft — sie ändern sich, also am Tag bestätigen.

Geschichte

Wie es entstand

The sculptor George Zongolopoulos first showed a version of his 'Umbrellas' at the 1995 Venice Biennale — the institution's centenary edition — where it floated on a platform at the entrance to great acclaim; this permanent steel installation was raised on the Nea Paralia in 1997. It became the signature image of the award-winning 2000s redesign of the waterfront, which strung a chain of themed gardens along the sea from the White Tower to the Concert Hall.

Was Sie Sehen

Bei einem Besuch

The umbrellas themselves catch the light against the sea, and the wide boardwalk around them is the prime sunset spot in the city — come in the hour before dusk when the sky behind the gulf turns gold.

Wie man Besucht

A flat, step-free walk or cycle along the seafront promenade from the White Tower; the nearest stretch of the Nea Paralia is fully accessible.

Beste Zeit

The hour before sunset, for the light over the gulf

Galerie

Anfahrt

Lage

Nea Paralia, ~25 min walk SE of the White Tower · On the New Waterfront (Nea Paralia), by the Thessaloniki Concert Hall

Wegbeschreibung

In Google Maps öffnen

Gut zu Wissen

On the New Waterfront (Nea Paralia), the redesigned seafront promenade near the Thessaloniki Concert Hall, about a 25-minute walk southeast of the White Tower along the sea.

The Greek sculptor George Zongolopoulos. The permanent steel installation was placed on the Nea Paralia in 1997, after he showed a version at the 1995 Venice Biennale.

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