Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is a modern large city with over 1 million. Inhabitants, is the largest urban center in northern Greece. Located in a fertile soil that grows around the rivers Axios, French and Loudias the Koronia and Volvi lakes, and seas of Thermaikos and Strymonikos. Inhabited since prehistoric times and in the region there are traces of life from that time.
The city was founded in 315 BC King of Macedon Cassander, son of Antipater general left as editor in Macedonia, Alexander the Great, when he dared the great campaign in Asia. Cassander, he dominated the battle of successors, married his half sister of Alexander the Great, Thessaloniki, and founded in honor of the city by joining 26 small settlements that were around there.
White Tower
The White Tower is the most famous landmark of Thessaloniki and the city symbol because of its location, its long history and its imposing architecture that characterizes him.
The tower was built in the 15th century to replace an older Byzantine fortifications probably the 12th century and later rebuilt by the Ottomans. It was used as a fortress by strengthening the defense of the port, as a garrison and prison. Because of its reputation as a notorious prison was also known as the “Tower of Blood” (Kanli Kule) or “Red Tower» (Torre Blanca). Renaming it the “White Tower” probably was in 1891 after the liming.
He was surrounded by long walls that were able to support and heavy weapons. A large part of these fortifications was demolished in the early 20th century in the context of overall modernization and it is not clear if it was part of the original construction or added later in order to further strengthen the defensive characteristics of the city.
Today the White Tower is open to the public, and guests have the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent panoramic view from the top. Within the tower a very special museum awaits visitors.
It is a space dedicated to the long history and the multicultural face of Thessaloniki as modified by its inhabitants.
Chamber - Arch of Galerius
One of the most characteristic monuments of Thessaloniki is the triumphal Arch of Galerius, also known as “Kamara”, located on the upper side of the Egnatia motorway and a short distance from the Rotunda. It is one of the most popular meeting places for residents and visitors to the city.
The arch was built in the era of the Roman “Tetrarchy” (early 4th century AD) and is one branch (west) of a roofed portico, formed by arches and bows. Built to honor the Roman Emperor Galerius, when he returned victorious to the city (around 306 AD) after the wars against the Persians. The triumphal arch was positioned vertically in ancient Egnatia that crossed the city (west to east) and was part of the so Galerian complex (Roman Palace), which developed the main southwest, the current squares Navarino and Hippodrome.
Rotunda
The Rotunda is a building which was destined for Temple of Zeus. Due to the non-use of later converted into a Christian church of St. George and was included in the Early Christian and Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
This domed circular building of the 4th century, like the Pantheon in Rome. It was built during the reign of Caesar Galerius around 304 AD while intended as a temple of Zeus.
Eptapyrgio - Yedi Kule
The Fortress of Eptapyrgio known by the Ottoman name Yedi Kule, located in the northeastern part of the walls of Thessaloniki, within the Acropolis.
It consists of two sections: the Byzantine fortress, which make up ten towers with each other Mesopyrgos intervals and the devil, and the newer buildings of prisons, which are built inside and outside of the fortress.
The towers of the north side are parts of early Christian wall of the Acropolis, while those in the south probably added during the Middle Byzantine period, forming the closed core of the fortress.
Agia Sofia
The Agia Sofia, or officially the “Church of God’s Wisdom” of Thessaloniki is one of the oldest and most important Christian city temples who has remained whole in the long run and operated until now as Cathedral Thessaloniki constituting simultaneously recognized Monument world Heritage by UNESCO.
The Church of God of Wisdom in Thessaloniki was built in the mid-7th century.
Saint Dimitrios
The Church of St. Dimitrios church is in Thessaloniki dedicated to Saint Dimitrios, patron.
Located in the homonymous street, it is a five-aisled basilica. In the church basement is the martyrdom place of St.
From the mosaic of stands out what shows him the saint with two young children and another depicting the saint between the bishop and the prefect, who renovated the temple in the 7th century.
Aristotelous Square
The Aristotelous Square is the largest of the main squares of Thessaloniki.
There is at the beginning of Aristotelous Street in the sea, in the heart of the city.
The square is a popular spot for tourists and locals, with many cafes, shops and hotels.
Roman Forum
The Roman Forum of Thessaloniki for about three centuries was the city’s main reference point and administrative center.
Was built in Thessaloniki at the end of the 2nd century and the first third of the 3rd century A.D.
It was built as something similar to the Greek Forum standards.
Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki was founded in 1912 and the building that housed inaugurated on October 27, 1962 when the city was celebrating the 50th anniversary of its liberation.
The exhibits, which hosts come from the excavations carried out in the city of Thessaloniki and the wider region of Macedonia.
Byzantine Museum
The Museum of Byzantine Culture is located at Avenue Army, opposite the Areos Park in Thessaloniki.
This is a special peripheral unit of the Ministry of Culture. Since the start of the Museum, in 1994, issued magazine, the first of its kind created by Greek state museum.
The 11 rooms of the museum opened gradually to 2004. In 2005, the museum was awarded the “Museum Award” of the Council of Europe.
Museum Ataturk
The Ataturk Museum is a museum of Thessaloniki and housed in the house where the named Kemal Ataturk was born, meaning “father of the Turks”.
Situated in Saint Paul Street, behind the Turkish Consulate.