Thessaloniki

THESSALONIKI

Thessaloniki was named after Thessalonike, a half-sister of Alexander the Great and the wife of the city’s founder. The city was founded around 315 BC by the King Cassander of Macedon, on or near the site of the ancient town of Therma and 26 other local villages (Thessalo-nikē means the "Thessalian victory").

Alexander the Great

THESSALONIKI

Alexander was born in July 356 BC in Pella in Macedonia. His father was Philip II, the king of Macedonia and his mother Olympias (daughter of King Neoptolemus of Epirus). He died in Babylon, in the Palace of Nabukhaznassar II on 13 June 323 BC.

He was 32 years and 11 months old. As the king of Macedonia, he continued the work of his father, Philip II, a skilled general, politician and diplomat, who reformed the Macedonian army and the Macedonian state. The Statue of Alexander the Great dominates on the water front of Thessaloniki.

White Tower

THESSALONIKI

This is the most characteristic monument in Thessaloniki and the city’s absolute trademark. The White Tower, located on the old beach, was constructed in the middle of the 5th century A.D. replacing an old Byzantine tower that was already in ruins.

The walls of city

THESSALONIKI

The castles and the walls of Thessaloniki were created in ancient times, as it was necessary to fortify the city. It is believed that they date back to the founding of the city. The castles took their final form during the time of Theodosius the Great (379-395).

The Roman Agora (Ancient Market)

THESSALONIKI

The Roman Agora was constructed in the late 2nd century AD and it constituted the administrative centre of the town till the 5th century. The excavations started in 1962, while the restoration works began in 1989 .

Kamara

THESSALONIKI

The Arch of Galerius, also known as Camara, is, together with the White Tower, the most characteristic monument in Thessaloniki. It is located in Egnatia, in the centre of the city.

Saint Dimitrios

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The Church of Agios Dimitrios is dedicated to the memory of Dimitrios, the martyr and patron saint of Thessaloniki. It was first built in 313 AD but after the fire of 612 which completely destroyed it, the church was rebuilt and preserved until 1917.

Virgin Mary of Chalkeon

THESSALONIKI

The Church of Panagia Chalkeon is located in the centre of the old part of Thessaloniki. Its architecture is that of a classic "cross-in-square-form", with four columns and three domes, one central and two over the narthex.

Saint Sofia

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This Byzantine church is dedicated to the Wisdom of God and not to the saint (Sophia = wisdom). It was built in the 7th century over a predecessor church, in basilica style.

Rotonta

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The Rotunda of Agios Georgios or (in English) the Rotunda of St. George is one of the oldest and most imposing monuments in Thessaloniki.

 

It was part of a large complex that included the palace, an octagonal building and the Hippodrome, built by Caesar Galerius in the first Tetrarchy (around 300 AD), when he established Thessaloniki as his base.

The Alatza-Imaret mosque

THESSALONIKI

The Alatza-Imaret mosque is found in the road Kassandrou and was built by Isaak-pasha,in 1500.This building was distinguished for its colourful minaret,part of which is saved and today.

The Hamza-Bey mosque

THESSALONIKI

The Hamza-Bey mosque, (current “Alkazar”), is found in crossing of roads Egnatia and Venizelou , in the centre of Thessaloniki. It is estimated that this building was built in 1468.

The Residency

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The Recidency of Thessaloniki is found in the homonymous square, on the road of Saint Dimitrios. This building was built 1891 with drawings of Italian architect Vitaliano Poselli, in the place of the old Turkish house. Of course, in the “Konaki”, that constituted the building of Turkish administration, were murdered in public many fighters of the liberating Fight. Today this building is basis of the Ministry of Macedonia-Thraki.

Archaeologic Museum

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The museum was inaugurated in 1962.There are exposed sculptures and statues of the region of thessaloniki from the archaic, classic and roman season. In e special wing of the museum are accommodated the treasures that were found in Vergina in 1978 and in Derveni in 1984.

Byzantine Museum

THESSALONIKI

The Museum of Byzantine Culture was founded in order to constitute a centre of preservation, research and study of the elements of the Byzantine culture that are rescued in the Macedonian area and particularly in Thessaloniki, the city than constituted the most important centre after Istanbul in the European department of the Byzantine empire. The museum includes collections of sculptures, frescos, mosaics,

Pictures, signs from the season of Byzantium.

Aristotelous Square

THESSALONIKI

Aristotelous Square in Thessaloniki is the only part of the city where the urban plan of French architect Ernst Hébrard was implemented. The square was built in 1917, after the fire that destroyed the city and the establishment of the “Thessaloniki New Plan International Commission”..

The OTE Tower

THESSALONIKI

The OTE Tower in Thessaloniki is a 76-metre telecommunications tower built in 1970 and designed by the architect Al. Anastasiadis. Together with the antenna, it exceeds 70 metres.