thessaloniki guide
TRANSCRIPT
Thessalonikiin Macedonia
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Map of Thessaloniki
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About ThessalonikiThessaloniki (or Salonica), the capital of Macedonia Prefecture, is the second largest city inGreece, after Athens. In fact, the town is honorarily called "co-capital", for its historical andadministrative importance.
The history of the town started in the ancient times and due to its strategic location, it played animportant economic and political role in the wider region of the Balkans. The town was founded in315 BC by king Cassander of Macedon on the site of a former settlement named Therma. Henamed 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 wasnamed like that because her birth coincided with a victory of the Macedonians with the help of theThessalians.
In the Roman times, Thessaloniki was an important trade centre to transport goods between theEast and the West. Its economic expansion continued all through the Byzantine Times and itbecame one of the most important centres of the empire. Many public buildings and churcheswere built that period all over the town. Many of these early Christian and Byzantine churchessurvive 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, includingthe Slavs and the Bulgarians, and of the Crusaders as well. In 1423, while the Byzantine Empirewas coming to its end, Thessaloniki was sold to Venice, which held it until it was captured by theOttomans 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 toprevent the Orthodox population to grow. Also, many Orthodox churches were converted intomosques.
Thessaloniki was set free from the Turks in October 26th, 1912, during the First Balkan Wars. Thatday, it was the feast of Agios Dimitrios (Saint Demetrius) and since then, the locals celebrate it asthe patron saint of the town. In August 1917, a fire burnt down most of the Old Town ofThessaloniki and left almost 1/4 of the population homeless. In the Second World War, bombingdestroyed many parts of the town, while most of the Jewish population was sent to the gaschambers and concentration camps by the Nazis.
Today, Thessaloniki is a modern town that has restored most of its wounds and receives millions ofvisitors every year. As it serves as a transportation hub for northern Greece, it has a railwaysystem 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, thevivid nightlife and its shopping options.
The trademark of Thessaloniki is the White Tower, right in the waterfront. It was built in the 16thcentury by the Ottomans and along its history it has been used as a fort, a prison, a meteorologylaboratory and today it houses the a section of the Byzantine Museum.
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Best Villages in ThessalonikiBeach PromenadeLocation: Along the port
Description: The paved Promenade of Thessaloniki is the most popular spotof the town. Lined by cafeterias and bars, this relaxing promenade passes bythe White Tower, the symbol of the town.Sightseeing: Cinema Museum, White Tower
Aristotle SquareLocation: In the centre of Thessaloniki, close to the waterfront
Description: Aristotle (or Aristotelous) Square constitutes the centre ofThessaloniki. This is the most famous square of the town, surrounded byNeoclassical buildings and plenty of cafeterias.Sightseeing: Museum for Macedonian Struggle
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Old Town Ano PoliLocation: On the north of the modern town
Description: The Old Town (or Ano Poli) of Thessaloniki used to be theTurkish and the Jewish Quarter. Part of this picturesque neighbourhood wasdestroyed in a big fire in 1917. Walking in the paved streets of the Old Townwill give you a great view of the port, the modern town and the surroundingmountains.Sightseeing: Ataturk Museum, Castle, Church of Agios Nikolaos Orfanos,Monastery of Vlatadon
Best Sightseeing in ThessalonikiWhite TowerLocation: Beach PromenadeThe White Tower, standing along the beach promenade, is the symbol ofThessaloniki. Constructed in the 16th century by the Ottomans, it was used asa fortress, a prison and a university workshop. Today it hosts a museum.
Arch of GaleriusLocation: RotondaMostly known as Kamara, the Arch of Galerius was constructed in 305 AD tocelebrate and commemorate the final victory of Roman general Galerius overthe 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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RotondaLocation: RotondaThe Rotonda (or Rotunda) is an impressive circular building in the centre ofThessaloniki. It was originally constructed by Roman general Galerius in about300 AD and in the late 4th century AD, it was turned into a Christian churchand decorated with nice frescoes. When the town was conquered by theOttomans, Rotonda was turned into a mosque. After it was liberated in theearly 19th century, it first became a church again and then a sculpturemuseum.
Church of Agios DimitriosLocation: EgnatiaThe church of Agios Dimitrios(Saint Demetrius) is the most famous church inThessaloniki. This is the patron saint of the town and its celebration onOctober 26th is a local holiday. This church dates from the Byzantine Timesand it has been built on the site when Saint Demetrius actually martyred. Infact, the basement of the church is the place where the saint was tortured forhis faith and died.
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Archaeological MuseumLocation: EgnatiaThe Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki opened is doors in September2006, after the restoration of the old building. Its aim is to present the way oflife and socialization of the tribes that lived in Thessaloniki and the widerregion of Macedonia from the prehistoric times till present. The permanentexhibitions of the Archaeological Museum are dedicated to various aspectsand periods of time concerning Macedonia. The museum also organizeseducational programmes for university students and kids.
CastleLocation: Old Town Ano PoliThe Castle of Thessaloniki is also known as Yedi Kule or Heptapyrgion. This isa fortress from the Byzantine and the Ottoman era, standing just above theOld Town (Ano Poli). It has been used as the seat of the garisson commandertill tha late 19th century and as prison till 1989.
CreditsGreeka.com would like to thank the following members for their valuable contribution, as some ofthe 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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