3. The Umbrellas

This modern work of art – close to the statue of Alexander the Great and the White Tower – has become not only a city landmark but also a meeting point for locals on the waterfront. 

Indeed, the Umbrellas by Giorgos Zongolopoulos has become a reference point for contemporary art in Greece. 

What for us is an everyday object of protection from rain has, for Zongolopoulos, a far deeper and more symbolic dimension.

The installation was first presented in Venice in 1995, during the 46th Biennale, where it received wide acclaim. It was first installed in Thessaloniki in 1997, as part of the city's designation as European Capital of Culture, but it was moved to its current location in 2013 following the completion of the New Waterfront redevelopment. 

It is made of stainless steel, featuring 40 umbrellas, and reaches a height of 13 meters. 

Set against the open horizon of the Thermaic Gulf, the umbrellas appear to be floating in the sky, especially at night when they are lit up. In other words, the effect of The Umbrellas changes according to the weather and the time of day. 

They have become an integral part of Thessaloniki's identity and a spot where locals come to admire the sunset. 

The Umbrellas installation successfully combines artistic value with functionality in a public space, becoming an iconic example of the integration of contemporary art into the urban landscape.