Greeka guide to Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki
in Macedonia
Information about villages, beaches, sightseeing, restaurants, activities and more...
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Thessaloniki Guide
About Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki (or Salonica), the capital of Macedonia Prefecture, is the second largest city in
Greece, after Athens. In fact, the town is honorarily called "co-capital", for its historical and
administrative importance.
The history of the town started in the ancient times and due to its strategic location, it played an
important economic and political role in the wider region of the Balkans. The town was founded in
315 BC by king Cassander of Macedon on the site of a former settlement named Therma. He
named it after his wife Thessalonike, the half-sister of Alexander the Great.
The name actually means "victory of the Thessalians" and it is believed that the woman was
named like that because her birth coincided with a victory of the Macedonians with the help of the
Thessalians.
In the Roman times, Thessaloniki was an important trade centre to transport goods between the
East and the West. Its economic expansion continued all through the Byzantine Times and it
became one of the most important centres of the empire. Many public buildings and churches
were built that period all over the town. Many of these early Christian and Byzantine churches
survive till today and they have been declared as World Heritage Monuments by Unesco.
Because of its economical power, the town received the attack of many Balkan tribes, including
the Slavs and the Bulgarians, and of the Crusaders as well. In 1423, while the Byzantine Empire
was coming to its end, Thessaloniki was sold to Venice, which held it until it was captured by the
Ottomans in 1430.During the Ottoman rule, the city's population of Muslims and Jews grew. In fact,
the Ottomans had invited the expelled Jews from Spain to reside Thessaloniki in their effort to
prevent the Orthodox population to grow. Also, many Orthodox churches were converted into
mosques.
Thessaloniki was set free from the Turks in October 26th, 1912, during the First Balkan Wars. That
day, it was the feast of Agios Dimitrios (Saint Demetrius) and since then, the locals celebrate it as
the patron saint of the town. In August 1917, a fire burnt down most of the Old Town of
Thessaloniki and left almost 1/4 of the population homeless. In the Second World War, bombing
destroyed many parts of the town, while most of the Jewish population was sent to the gas
chambers and concentration camps by the Nazis.
Today, Thessaloniki is a modern town that has restored most of its wounds and receives millions of
visitors every year. As it serves as a transportation hub for northern Greece, it has a railway
system that connects the town to Turkey and the Balkans, a busy port and an international airport.
With a population of about 800,000 people, Thessaloniki is famous for its ancient monuments, the
vivid nightlife and its shopping options.
The trademark of Thessaloniki is the White Tower, right in the waterfront. It was built in the 16th
century by the Ottomans and along its history it has been used as a fort, a prison, a meteorology
laboratory and today it houses the a section of the Byzantine Museum.
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Thessaloniki Guide
Best Villages in Thessaloniki
Beach Promenade
Location: Along the port
Description: The paved Promenade of Thessaloniki is the most popular spot
of the town. Lined by cafeterias and bars, this relaxing promenade passes by
the White Tower, the symbol of the town.
Sightseeing: Cinema Museum, White Tower
Aristotle Square
Location: In the centre of Thessaloniki, close to the waterfront
Description: Aristotle (or Aristotelous) Square constitutes the centre of
Thessaloniki. This is the most famous square of the town, surrounded by
Neoclassical buildings and plenty of cafeterias.
Sightseeing: Museum for Macedonian Struggle
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Thessaloniki Guide
Old Town Ano Poli
Location: On the north of the modern town
Description: The Old Town (or Ano Poli) of Thessaloniki used to be the
Turkish and the Jewish Quarter. Part of this picturesque neighbourhood was
destroyed in a big fire in 1917. Walking in the paved streets of the Old Town
will give you a great view of the port, the modern town and the surrounding
mountains.
Sightseeing: Ataturk Museum, Castle, Church of Agios Nikolaos Orfanos,
Monastery of Vlatadon
Best Sightseeing in Thessaloniki
White Tower
Location: Beach Promenade
The White Tower, standing along the beach promenade, is the symbol of
Thessaloniki. Constructed in the 16th century by the Ottomans, it was used as
a fortress, a prison and a university workshop. Today it hosts a museum.
Arch of Galerius
Location: Rotonda
Mostly known as Kamara, the Arch of Galerius was constructed in 305 AD to
celebrate and commemorate the final victory of Roman general Galerius over
the Persians. This victory is the main theme of the carved scenes on this arch,
which was connected with the Palace of Galerius and the Rotonda. Today,
Kamara is a popular passage way and meeting point in Thessaloniki.
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Thessaloniki Guide
Rotonda
Location: Rotonda
The Rotonda (or Rotunda) is an impressive circular building in the centre of
Thessaloniki. It was originally constructed by Roman general Galerius in about
300 AD and in the late 4th century AD, it was turned into a Christian church
and decorated with nice frescoes. When the town was conquered by the
Ottomans, Rotonda was turned into a mosque. After it was liberated in the
early 19th century, it first became a church again and then a sculpture
museum.
Church of Agios Dimitrios
Location: Egnatia
The church of Agios Dimitrios(Saint Demetrius) is the most famous church in
Thessaloniki. This is the patron saint of the town and its celebration on
October 26th is a local holiday. This church dates from the Byzantine Times
and it has been built on the site when Saint Demetrius actually martyred. In
fact, the basement of the church is the place where the saint was tortured for
his faith and died.
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Thessaloniki Guide
Archaeological Museum
Location: Egnatia
The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki opened is doors in September
2006, after the restoration of the old building. Its aim is to present the way of
life and socialization of the tribes that lived in Thessaloniki and the wider
region of Macedonia from the prehistoric times till present. The permanent
exhibitions of the Archaeological Museum are dedicated to various aspects
and periods of time concerning Macedonia. The museum also organizes
educational programmes for university students and kids.
Castle
Location: Old Town Ano Poli
The Castle of Thessaloniki is also known as Yedi Kule or Heptapyrgion. This is
a fortress from the Byzantine and the Ottoman era, standing just above the
Old Town (Ano Poli). It has been used as the seat of the garisson commander
till tha late 19th century and as prison till 1989.
Credits
Greeka.com would like to thank the following members for their valuable contribution, as some of
the photos included in this guide belong to them.
MSPANAKIS, aboulmiche, antonar, bibe187, craluca, crocus, davidrobo, delfini,
designmama, despo, eviastuti, fdumi, jozeftibos, krilis, marimundt, osciorti, posa14,
rickfr01, stefan, ticacristina, tullio63, zografia
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Thessaloniki Guide
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