Thessaloniki is the second-largest city in Greece and the main urban center in the north of the country. Influenced over the centuries by Greek, Ottoman, and Hebrew communities, it has become a destination for lovers of art and culture.

Along the beautiful seafront of Thessaloniki, and close to other attractions such as the White Tower, the statue of Alexander the Great, and the local museums, stands a curious sculpture that catches the eye of every visitor.

“The Umbrellas” was made by Greek sculptor Giorgios Zongolopoulos in 1997 when Thessaloniki was the European Capital of Culture. Each umbrella is about 42 feet (13 meters) tall and slightly tilted. Now one of the most photographed places in the entire city, it’s sometimes illuminated with different lights making it even more magical.