Ταξιδιωτικός οδηγός του Dimitris
Αξιοθέατα
The Rotunda is part of the imperial complex built in 306 AD as the Pantheon (or mausoleum) for the emperor Galerius.
As the name suggests the monument is a circular building with a dome 24 meters in diameter. Theodosius the Great turned it into a church during his reign for many years was the church of Thessalonica.
The church was converted into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire in 1591, and added a minaret which is still preserved and is the only one in Thessaloniki. The Rotunda owns some perfect and remarkable mosaics. Today operates as a museum and there is no regular holly service (except for some very important dates).
186 locals recommend
Rotunda
5 Pl. Agiou Georgiou RotontaThe Rotunda is part of the imperial complex built in 306 AD as the Pantheon (or mausoleum) for the emperor Galerius.
As the name suggests the monument is a circular building with a dome 24 meters in diameter. Theodosius the Great turned it into a church during his reign for many years was the church of Thessalonica.
The church was converted into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire in 1591, and added a minaret which is still preserved and is the only one in Thessaloniki. The Rotunda owns some perfect and remarkable mosaics. Today operates as a museum and there is no regular holly service (except for some very important dates).
Thessaloniki’s symbol, the White Tower is a 15th century fortification which was part of the city’s defenses.
The White Tower is the point where the seaward defense and the eastern wall met.
For years it served as a prison for condemned prisoners awaiting execution. In early 1980s it was reconstructed and since 1985 is operating as a museum. Today the White Tower is used as a place of exhibition of the Byzantine Museum of Thessaloniki. For the first months of 2002 it housed ‘Byzantine Hours’, an exhibition devoted to ordinary life in Byzantine times.
The first floor was presenting the “Professionals in the market place “ which actually is a presentation of tools and other objects belonging to goldsmiths, blade-smiths, glassmakers and tillers together with coins and a miniature model of Thessaloniki’s market place.
The second floor was devoted to journeys and trade. Objects and texts related to journeys by sea and overland, fairs, spectacles and pilgrimages.
The third floor is a presentation of the Byzantine home and its interior design, the decoration, supper, and the neighborhood.
At the floor above there was an exhibition of life at home with garments and footwear, cosmetics, perfume and jewellery, personal grooming, and even superstitions.
The theme of the top floor was covering burial and funerary customs.
540 locals recommend
White Tower of Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki’s symbol, the White Tower is a 15th century fortification which was part of the city’s defenses.
The White Tower is the point where the seaward defense and the eastern wall met.
For years it served as a prison for condemned prisoners awaiting execution. In early 1980s it was reconstructed and since 1985 is operating as a museum. Today the White Tower is used as a place of exhibition of the Byzantine Museum of Thessaloniki. For the first months of 2002 it housed ‘Byzantine Hours’, an exhibition devoted to ordinary life in Byzantine times.
The first floor was presenting the “Professionals in the market place “ which actually is a presentation of tools and other objects belonging to goldsmiths, blade-smiths, glassmakers and tillers together with coins and a miniature model of Thessaloniki’s market place.
The second floor was devoted to journeys and trade. Objects and texts related to journeys by sea and overland, fairs, spectacles and pilgrimages.
The third floor is a presentation of the Byzantine home and its interior design, the decoration, supper, and the neighborhood.
At the floor above there was an exhibition of life at home with garments and footwear, cosmetics, perfume and jewellery, personal grooming, and even superstitions.
The theme of the top floor was covering burial and funerary customs.
The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki opened its doors to the public in 1962 by hosting findings from the area of Thessaloniki and the neighboring counties.
The museum presents exhibits of the culture of Macedonia from prehistoric times and thereafter.
The museum redesigned the interior area for a better and much more modern presentation of the permanent and temporary collections.
Visitors have the opportunity to walk around the five sections of the new structure of the museum, through which they come into contact with the culture and people of ancient Macedonia.
The five sections of the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki:
Section A: Prehistoric Macedonia.
Presentation of parts of the skull cast of an early hominid the “Macedonian Ape” and presentation of a copy of the famous skull of Petralona Cave(200,000 BC)
Section-B: To the birth of cities.
Presentation of evidence for the existence of settlements and cemeteries from the region extending between Athos and Olympus mountains, during the Iron Age (1100 – 700 BC).
Section C: Macedonia from the 7th century BC to late Antiquity.
Presentation of the life of the Macedonians from the creation of their independent kingdom of Macedonia (the ancient years) until the imperial period (1st to 4th century AD) when Macedonia was a province of the Roman Empire.
Section D: Thessaloniki, the Macedonian Metropolis
Presentation of historical and archaeological information of the city. The period from the year of its foundation, in 315 BC until the Roman occupation.
Section E: The Gold of the Macedonians.
Presentation of the art of the goldsmiths and exceptional exhibits from various places, mostly from cemeteries of Archaic and Classical periods.
The museum also has a chronological narration commencing with the “Prehistoric Macedonia.”
275 locals recommend
Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
6 Manoli AndronikouThe Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki opened its doors to the public in 1962 by hosting findings from the area of Thessaloniki and the neighboring counties.
The museum presents exhibits of the culture of Macedonia from prehistoric times and thereafter.
The museum redesigned the interior area for a better and much more modern presentation of the permanent and temporary collections.
Visitors have the opportunity to walk around the five sections of the new structure of the museum, through which they come into contact with the culture and people of ancient Macedonia.
The five sections of the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki:
Section A: Prehistoric Macedonia.
Presentation of parts of the skull cast of an early hominid the “Macedonian Ape” and presentation of a copy of the famous skull of Petralona Cave(200,000 BC)
Section-B: To the birth of cities.
Presentation of evidence for the existence of settlements and cemeteries from the region extending between Athos and Olympus mountains, during the Iron Age (1100 – 700 BC).
Section C: Macedonia from the 7th century BC to late Antiquity.
Presentation of the life of the Macedonians from the creation of their independent kingdom of Macedonia (the ancient years) until the imperial period (1st to 4th century AD) when Macedonia was a province of the Roman Empire.
Section D: Thessaloniki, the Macedonian Metropolis
Presentation of historical and archaeological information of the city. The period from the year of its foundation, in 315 BC until the Roman occupation.
Section E: The Gold of the Macedonians.
Presentation of the art of the goldsmiths and exceptional exhibits from various places, mostly from cemeteries of Archaic and Classical periods.
The museum also has a chronological narration commencing with the “Prehistoric Macedonia.”
Τhe Agia Sofia or Agia Sophia for several years was the metropolis of Thessaloniki.
Hagia Sophia is a great Basilica (domed) built over the ruins of an earlier gigantic basilica (which was destroyed in the 6th century AD)
The church was built to commemorate the Hagia Sophia in Constantinopolis.
The construction began in the 7th century AD but during the years of construction there were many modifications and additions. During the Ottoman Empire this church as many others became a mosque but it was destroyed by fire in 1890 to reopen and offer its holly service, in 1913. Visitors of Hagia Sophia will be able to observe the existence of very impressive pictures and carved decorations retained by the 8th, 9th and 11th century.
117 locals recommend
Hagia Sophia of Thessaloniki
Agias SofiasΤhe Agia Sofia or Agia Sophia for several years was the metropolis of Thessaloniki.
Hagia Sophia is a great Basilica (domed) built over the ruins of an earlier gigantic basilica (which was destroyed in the 6th century AD)
The church was built to commemorate the Hagia Sophia in Constantinopolis.
The construction began in the 7th century AD but during the years of construction there were many modifications and additions. During the Ottoman Empire this church as many others became a mosque but it was destroyed by fire in 1890 to reopen and offer its holly service, in 1913. Visitors of Hagia Sophia will be able to observe the existence of very impressive pictures and carved decorations retained by the 8th, 9th and 11th century.
The church of Agios Dimitrios is dedicated to the patron Saint of the city and holds a prominent position among all the churches in this city.
The Church has a rich history. Originally was built as a small chapel in 313 AD, on the ruins of an ancient Roman bath.
In the fifth century the Bishop Leontius reconstructed the small chapel to a large basilica. This church was burned somewhere between the 626 AD and 634 AD. When it was constructed again took the form of a five-aisled basilica but in 1493 the Turkish invaders converted it into a mosque! In 1912 the church returned to the Christians but the great fire in 1917 destroyed it completely.
The church commenced its holly service in 1949.
The church is located on the ruins of the Roman Forum and is a basilica with five naves, a transept and a vestibule. It has a crypt located directly beneath the transept and the sanctuary. There are catacombs beneath the temple among which is the hall of the prison of St. Demetrius. The church has a museum and three chapels on one side. On the southeast side of the church there is the small chapell of Agios Efthimios.
The church Agios Dimitrios before the devastating fires of 1917 was decorated with sculptures, frescoes and mosaics, most of which were destroyed and today only a few remnants can tell the glorious past of the monument.
165 locals recommend
Church of St. Demetrios
Agiou DimitriouThe church of Agios Dimitrios is dedicated to the patron Saint of the city and holds a prominent position among all the churches in this city.
The Church has a rich history. Originally was built as a small chapel in 313 AD, on the ruins of an ancient Roman bath.
In the fifth century the Bishop Leontius reconstructed the small chapel to a large basilica. This church was burned somewhere between the 626 AD and 634 AD. When it was constructed again took the form of a five-aisled basilica but in 1493 the Turkish invaders converted it into a mosque! In 1912 the church returned to the Christians but the great fire in 1917 destroyed it completely.
The church commenced its holly service in 1949.
The church is located on the ruins of the Roman Forum and is a basilica with five naves, a transept and a vestibule. It has a crypt located directly beneath the transept and the sanctuary. There are catacombs beneath the temple among which is the hall of the prison of St. Demetrius. The church has a museum and three chapels on one side. On the southeast side of the church there is the small chapell of Agios Efthimios.
The church Agios Dimitrios before the devastating fires of 1917 was decorated with sculptures, frescoes and mosaics, most of which were destroyed and today only a few remnants can tell the glorious past of the monument.
One of the most characteristic monuments of Thessaloniki is the Arch of Galerius, located on the upper side of the Via Egnatia, a short distance from the Rotunda. (The Rotunda is a building with internal niches, serving as a place of worship).
The Arch of Galerius is a glorious monument, whose purpose was not practical, but memorial and honorary. It is a triumphal arch built shortly before 305 AD to honor the Roman Emperor Galerius, after the final victory over the Persians. The triumphal arch that was positioned perpendicular to the ancient Egnatia, which crossed the city (west to east) forming a part of the Roman Palace of Galerius, which was developed through the current squares of Navarinou and Hippodrome.
The construction design of the arch of Galerius was such as the two major roads to pass beneath it and crossed right in the middle, the current Egnatia Street and the street starting from the Arch and ending at the south gate of the wall of the Rotunda.
224 locals recommend
Arch of Galerius
144 EgnatiaOne of the most characteristic monuments of Thessaloniki is the Arch of Galerius, located on the upper side of the Via Egnatia, a short distance from the Rotunda. (The Rotunda is a building with internal niches, serving as a place of worship).
The Arch of Galerius is a glorious monument, whose purpose was not practical, but memorial and honorary. It is a triumphal arch built shortly before 305 AD to honor the Roman Emperor Galerius, after the final victory over the Persians. The triumphal arch that was positioned perpendicular to the ancient Egnatia, which crossed the city (west to east) forming a part of the Roman Palace of Galerius, which was developed through the current squares of Navarinou and Hippodrome.
The construction design of the arch of Galerius was such as the two major roads to pass beneath it and crossed right in the middle, the current Egnatia Street and the street starting from the Arch and ending at the south gate of the wall of the Rotunda.
The city walls of Thessaloniki were the fortifications of the Byzantine city and are of great interest and importance for their archaeological, architectural and artistic points. The Byzantine walls of Thessaloniki concurred with the Roman ones. The walls were built of narrow bands of stone and a wider of brick and spread over a length of 7-8 km.
The walls were forming an almost square shape (trapezoid) and a height of 10-12 m and their northern part was connected to the walls of Acropolis. Today exist only 3 km of walls.
During the Turkish occupation part of the walls were built with ordinary bricks. At some points there is still a small portion of a wall, called rampart which is within 4-6 meters from the main walls. The rampart facilitated to make it difficult for attackers to use, siege machines. In front of the rampart was a moat.
The main wall was double and reinforced within certain distance, by towers and gates mostly in lowland areas, with the inner wall standing in a distance of 10 m from the outer “rampart”. Today there are only 60 towers. Everyone has a rectangular shape except the White Tower and the Triangle Tower. These two considered to have been built over older towers during the 15th century.
At the sea section of the walls there were no gates, while inside the artificial harbor of Constantine the Great was a low wall on the side of the city and a breakwater, the “Tzerempoulon” on the side of the sea. The major reconstruction of the walls was the early Christian period (late 4th-early 5th century) by Hormisdas since due to the frequent barbaric invasions of the 5th and 6th centuries the need for continued support of the walls, was a must. In the western part of the wall across from the cemetery of the Protestants, there is an inscription with the name of Hormisdas.
The inscription includes three lines; each with a length of 9 meters and from these three lines only the second has survived in good condition and a few scattered letters from the third row.
At the bottom of the inscription are clearly visible some Latin crosses. After the negligence that led to easy capture of the city by the Saracens in 904, the walls were strengthened again to confront the Bulgarian danger.
The Byzantine fortifications.
Major repair work was carried out in the 13th and 14th century by the family of Palaiologos in both the main walls (see, Anna Paleologina gateway) and the Eptapyrgio walls (Acropolis). The lack of interest from the Venetians (1423-1430) to defend the city’s independence helped the Turks to capture Thessaloniki but after they conquered the city they fortified it, with great attention.
ΔΥΤΙΚΑ ΤΕΙΧΗ ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΗΣ
35 StournaraThe city walls of Thessaloniki were the fortifications of the Byzantine city and are of great interest and importance for their archaeological, architectural and artistic points. The Byzantine walls of Thessaloniki concurred with the Roman ones. The walls were built of narrow bands of stone and a wider of brick and spread over a length of 7-8 km.
The walls were forming an almost square shape (trapezoid) and a height of 10-12 m and their northern part was connected to the walls of Acropolis. Today exist only 3 km of walls.
During the Turkish occupation part of the walls were built with ordinary bricks. At some points there is still a small portion of a wall, called rampart which is within 4-6 meters from the main walls. The rampart facilitated to make it difficult for attackers to use, siege machines. In front of the rampart was a moat.
The main wall was double and reinforced within certain distance, by towers and gates mostly in lowland areas, with the inner wall standing in a distance of 10 m from the outer “rampart”. Today there are only 60 towers. Everyone has a rectangular shape except the White Tower and the Triangle Tower. These two considered to have been built over older towers during the 15th century.
At the sea section of the walls there were no gates, while inside the artificial harbor of Constantine the Great was a low wall on the side of the city and a breakwater, the “Tzerempoulon” on the side of the sea. The major reconstruction of the walls was the early Christian period (late 4th-early 5th century) by Hormisdas since due to the frequent barbaric invasions of the 5th and 6th centuries the need for continued support of the walls, was a must. In the western part of the wall across from the cemetery of the Protestants, there is an inscription with the name of Hormisdas.
The inscription includes three lines; each with a length of 9 meters and from these three lines only the second has survived in good condition and a few scattered letters from the third row.
At the bottom of the inscription are clearly visible some Latin crosses. After the negligence that led to easy capture of the city by the Saracens in 904, the walls were strengthened again to confront the Bulgarian danger.
The Byzantine fortifications.
Major repair work was carried out in the 13th and 14th century by the family of Palaiologos in both the main walls (see, Anna Paleologina gateway) and the Eptapyrgio walls (Acropolis). The lack of interest from the Venetians (1423-1430) to defend the city’s independence helped the Turks to capture Thessaloniki but after they conquered the city they fortified it, with great attention.
The Aristotelous square is the connection link between the architectural history of Thessaloniki and its modern style.
After the fire of 1917, the French architect Ernest Hébrard was assigned to redesign the whole area of the city center and due to the historical significance of this central point he put Aristotelous Square in the heart of the new plan.
The Aristotelous square is the point where the sea meets the land in the most central point of the city and the starting point of a place full of open spaces to the public.
The Aristotelous square is described as a crucial place for Thessaloniki since is the only open space in the center of the city with this vast dimension turning to be the point of hosting numerous events throughout the year, people’s meeting place, place of recreation and promenade for the citizens and the visitors.
It is mentioned and in fact is a rare example of a preplanned architectural design while its careful orientation is offering a captivating view of Mount Olympus.
216 locals recommend
Aristotelous Square
The Aristotelous square is the connection link between the architectural history of Thessaloniki and its modern style.
After the fire of 1917, the French architect Ernest Hébrard was assigned to redesign the whole area of the city center and due to the historical significance of this central point he put Aristotelous Square in the heart of the new plan.
The Aristotelous square is the point where the sea meets the land in the most central point of the city and the starting point of a place full of open spaces to the public.
The Aristotelous square is described as a crucial place for Thessaloniki since is the only open space in the center of the city with this vast dimension turning to be the point of hosting numerous events throughout the year, people’s meeting place, place of recreation and promenade for the citizens and the visitors.
It is mentioned and in fact is a rare example of a preplanned architectural design while its careful orientation is offering a captivating view of Mount Olympus.
The history of Thessaloniki begins in 316 BC the founding of when king Cassandros founded the city under the name of his wife, sister of Alexander the Great.
The creation of Thessaloniki’s harbor is estimated to be at the same period. The Port of Thessaloniki was the strategic and financial center of the city.
In ancient times it is stated that there were shipyards, where the Macedonian fleet manufactured and preserved its ships. During the reign of Constantine the Great, there are also scripts referring to the existence of a large square port. It also seems that in the “Middle Ages” the communication and the commerce through the harbor of Thessaloniki was very well organized. There was a small port on Thessaloniki at the area of the White Tower, and a pier right in the center of the Thessaloniki.
During the times of John Kameniatis (secretary of the Patriarch in Thessaloniki) there are scripts describing an extensive breakwater which it was going along the seaside walls.
The port of Thessaloniki is a living history for the city holding a crucial factor of the city as it’s the meeting point of East and West.
57 locals recommend
Port of Thessaloniki
1 Leof. NikisThe history of Thessaloniki begins in 316 BC the founding of when king Cassandros founded the city under the name of his wife, sister of Alexander the Great.
The creation of Thessaloniki’s harbor is estimated to be at the same period. The Port of Thessaloniki was the strategic and financial center of the city.
In ancient times it is stated that there were shipyards, where the Macedonian fleet manufactured and preserved its ships. During the reign of Constantine the Great, there are also scripts referring to the existence of a large square port. It also seems that in the “Middle Ages” the communication and the commerce through the harbor of Thessaloniki was very well organized. There was a small port on Thessaloniki at the area of the White Tower, and a pier right in the center of the Thessaloniki.
During the times of John Kameniatis (secretary of the Patriarch in Thessaloniki) there are scripts describing an extensive breakwater which it was going along the seaside walls.
The port of Thessaloniki is a living history for the city holding a crucial factor of the city as it’s the meeting point of East and West.
Two brothers named Dorotheus and Mark Vlattis, were the persons who founded the monastery in 1360.
The two brothers were members of the intellectual circle of the Bishop of Thessaloniki, Gregory Palamas, who later was announced, a saint.
He died in 1359 and a mural decorates the inside of the church.
It’s amazing how the building and particularly the Catholic maintains the characteristics of the original building, despite the many repairs and restorations.
The unique inner wall is a perfect example of the style of the second half of the 14th century.
(This point should be reached by the Byzantine castles and walk downtown through the stone alleyways of unbelievable beauty).
48 locals recommend
Vlatadon Monastery
64 EptapirgiouTwo brothers named Dorotheus and Mark Vlattis, were the persons who founded the monastery in 1360.
The two brothers were members of the intellectual circle of the Bishop of Thessaloniki, Gregory Palamas, who later was announced, a saint.
He died in 1359 and a mural decorates the inside of the church.
It’s amazing how the building and particularly the Catholic maintains the characteristics of the original building, despite the many repairs and restorations.
The unique inner wall is a perfect example of the style of the second half of the 14th century.
(This point should be reached by the Byzantine castles and walk downtown through the stone alleyways of unbelievable beauty).
The Museum of Byzantine Culture opened its doors for public in the year of 1994.
The idea for the foundation of a Byzantine Museum was to create the home of the Byzantine culture in the area of Macedonia and in particular to Thessaloniki, keeping the culture alive while offering the possibility to students and the society to research and study on the topic. In the museum there are sculptures, frescoes, mosaics, icons, metalwork, coins, wall paintings glassware, pottery and inscriptions from the Byzantine times.
It has permanent exhibitions, rooms for temporary thematic exhibitions, conservation workshops, and storage rooms.
Today, three permanent exhibitions are open, presenting the society and the art of the Early Christian period (4th–7th centuries AD) emphasizing on the transition from the ancient world to Christianity.
The topic of the first exhibition is “Early Christian Churches” and the design and decoration of Christian churches in the first centuries.
The second exhibition is Early Christian Cities and Houses presenting the economic life, domestic handicrafts, as well as details of food and clothing. The centre of the room is dominated by the reception room of a house with a mosaic floor and very well preserved wall paintings.
The third exhibition is called “From the Elysian Fields to the Christian Paradise, and it focuses on Early Christian cemeteries.
The fourth exhibition is called “‘From the Iconomachy to the Brilliance of the Macedonians and the Komninos’ Dynasty. It presents the Iconomachy, architecture, painting, sculpture, ceramics, lead seals and coins in mid-Byzantine churches, monasteries and the Christianize of the Slavs by the Thessalonians brothers, the monks Cyrillus and Methodius.
Future exhibitions will present the dynasties of the Byzantine emperors in chronological order from Heraclios (610-641) to the fall of Constantinople in 1453.
In the ‘Byzantine Castle’ exhibits and information are used to show how the castle was organized and describe a picture of everyday life and production within and outside its walls.
(Closest Bus Stop Archaeological Museum, distance 100meters)
274 locals recommend
Museum of Byzantine Culture
2 Leof. StratouThe Museum of Byzantine Culture opened its doors for public in the year of 1994.
The idea for the foundation of a Byzantine Museum was to create the home of the Byzantine culture in the area of Macedonia and in particular to Thessaloniki, keeping the culture alive while offering the possibility to students and the society to research and study on the topic. In the museum there are sculptures, frescoes, mosaics, icons, metalwork, coins, wall paintings glassware, pottery and inscriptions from the Byzantine times.
It has permanent exhibitions, rooms for temporary thematic exhibitions, conservation workshops, and storage rooms.
Today, three permanent exhibitions are open, presenting the society and the art of the Early Christian period (4th–7th centuries AD) emphasizing on the transition from the ancient world to Christianity.
The topic of the first exhibition is “Early Christian Churches” and the design and decoration of Christian churches in the first centuries.
The second exhibition is Early Christian Cities and Houses presenting the economic life, domestic handicrafts, as well as details of food and clothing. The centre of the room is dominated by the reception room of a house with a mosaic floor and very well preserved wall paintings.
The third exhibition is called “From the Elysian Fields to the Christian Paradise, and it focuses on Early Christian cemeteries.
The fourth exhibition is called “‘From the Iconomachy to the Brilliance of the Macedonians and the Komninos’ Dynasty. It presents the Iconomachy, architecture, painting, sculpture, ceramics, lead seals and coins in mid-Byzantine churches, monasteries and the Christianize of the Slavs by the Thessalonians brothers, the monks Cyrillus and Methodius.
Future exhibitions will present the dynasties of the Byzantine emperors in chronological order from Heraclios (610-641) to the fall of Constantinople in 1453.
In the ‘Byzantine Castle’ exhibits and information are used to show how the castle was organized and describe a picture of everyday life and production within and outside its walls.
(Closest Bus Stop Archaeological Museum, distance 100meters)
In 1987 a group of people has founded the organization “Parallaxis” and they have created the first museum of photography in Thessaloniki.
In 1995 the Organization “Thessaloniki Cultural Capital of 1997” founded the Museum of Photography, which in 1998 became an independent body.
Since December 2001, the Museum is housed in Warehouse 1 inside Thessaloniki’s port, in the same building with the Cinema Museum.
The mission of the museum is the collection of photographs, mostly historical and artistic ones, from all over Greece, to organize exhibitions and events for presenting the museum’s collection, to join forces and cooperate with other similar organizations and to publish photo books.
The museum has 57 photographs and 700 negatives of photographer Nelly, the archive with topics from fashion from the photographer Socrates Iordanidis, news stories, city scenery, and other similar images and photos from the 1950’s, 60’s and 70 while is getting ready to purchase the collection titled “Picture and Image” (the work of 39 contemporary Greek photographers), the archive of photographer Yannis Stylianos and part of the collection entitled “New Images”.
Since 1999 the museum has worked with a number of Greek and international organizations to undertake the organization of the “PHOTO-SYNKIRIA” the oldest and most prestigious photographic institution in the country.
(Closest bus stop Port in 50 meters distance)
49 locals recommend
Museum of Photography Thessaloniki
In 1987 a group of people has founded the organization “Parallaxis” and they have created the first museum of photography in Thessaloniki.
In 1995 the Organization “Thessaloniki Cultural Capital of 1997” founded the Museum of Photography, which in 1998 became an independent body.
Since December 2001, the Museum is housed in Warehouse 1 inside Thessaloniki’s port, in the same building with the Cinema Museum.
The mission of the museum is the collection of photographs, mostly historical and artistic ones, from all over Greece, to organize exhibitions and events for presenting the museum’s collection, to join forces and cooperate with other similar organizations and to publish photo books.
The museum has 57 photographs and 700 negatives of photographer Nelly, the archive with topics from fashion from the photographer Socrates Iordanidis, news stories, city scenery, and other similar images and photos from the 1950’s, 60’s and 70 while is getting ready to purchase the collection titled “Picture and Image” (the work of 39 contemporary Greek photographers), the archive of photographer Yannis Stylianos and part of the collection entitled “New Images”.
Since 1999 the museum has worked with a number of Greek and international organizations to undertake the organization of the “PHOTO-SYNKIRIA” the oldest and most prestigious photographic institution in the country.
(Closest bus stop Port in 50 meters distance)
The museum is founded by the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki and is located in the city’s center at the Modiano Market place, which was the centre of the Jewish community from the time when the first Spanish Jews settled in the city until the Second World War.
The museum opened its doors in March 1997 having as its main purpose to keep the memory of Thessaloniki’s Jewish community alive.
The permanent exhibition displays copies of exhibits from the Beth Lohamei Agetaoth Kibbutz opened in Israel since 1933 and is titled:
“Thessaloniki” The Metropolis of Sephardic Jewry. Details of the history and the activity of the Jews of Thessaloniki and their contribution to the city’s economic development, their public welfare institutions, their publishing activity and the development of the Zionist movement are presented. The exhibits are from the period when the city was founded in 315 BC and especially from the year 1492 when 15–20,000 Spanish Sephardi Jews settled in Thessaloniki until the Holocaust of the city’s Jews during the German Occupation in WWII.
There are exhibitions of photographs relating to the Holocaust, replicate of the exhibition in the Auschwitz Institute in Brussels, texts and photographs reproducing the rise to power from the Nazis’, the German policy of racism, the life in the concentration camps, the annihilation of the Jews in the gas chambers and crematoria, the resistance’s hits and the liberation of the remaining prisoners by the Allied Forces in 1945.
There are shocking documentation brought back by the few Thessalonikean Jews who returned from the concentration camps and these are items as the two pieces of soap, one green and one white which were made from the body fat of slain Jews, a rusty metal identity plate bearing the number 118968, a bent spoon which Heinz Kounio brought back with him, and a camp prisoner’s uniform.
(Closest station Port of Thessaloniki in 350 meters distance)
51 locals recommend
Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki
11 Ag. MinaThe museum is founded by the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki and is located in the city’s center at the Modiano Market place, which was the centre of the Jewish community from the time when the first Spanish Jews settled in the city until the Second World War.
The museum opened its doors in March 1997 having as its main purpose to keep the memory of Thessaloniki’s Jewish community alive.
The permanent exhibition displays copies of exhibits from the Beth Lohamei Agetaoth Kibbutz opened in Israel since 1933 and is titled:
“Thessaloniki” The Metropolis of Sephardic Jewry. Details of the history and the activity of the Jews of Thessaloniki and their contribution to the city’s economic development, their public welfare institutions, their publishing activity and the development of the Zionist movement are presented. The exhibits are from the period when the city was founded in 315 BC and especially from the year 1492 when 15–20,000 Spanish Sephardi Jews settled in Thessaloniki until the Holocaust of the city’s Jews during the German Occupation in WWII.
There are exhibitions of photographs relating to the Holocaust, replicate of the exhibition in the Auschwitz Institute in Brussels, texts and photographs reproducing the rise to power from the Nazis’, the German policy of racism, the life in the concentration camps, the annihilation of the Jews in the gas chambers and crematoria, the resistance’s hits and the liberation of the remaining prisoners by the Allied Forces in 1945.
There are shocking documentation brought back by the few Thessalonikean Jews who returned from the concentration camps and these are items as the two pieces of soap, one green and one white which were made from the body fat of slain Jews, a rusty metal identity plate bearing the number 118968, a bent spoon which Heinz Kounio brought back with him, and a camp prisoner’s uniform.
(Closest station Port of Thessaloniki in 350 meters distance)
Thessaloniki Concert Hall came to fulfill the desire of the people of Thessaloniki and the surrounding areas for a place dedicated to musical and artistic activities.
The Thessaloniki Concert Hall was built along the coast of the city, near the Thessaloniki Poseidonion Sports Centre, in an area of 18.000 sq. m.
The Concert Hall is a modern cultural and congress center built on international standards, holding the potential to host large scale events such as operas, concerts, ballets, theatrical plays, art and cultural exhibitions and conference events.
The building was designed by the famous architect Arata Isozaki to be a landmark and a diamond on the crown of the city.
The exterior of the building is fully harmonized with the history of the city combining elements from the glorious
Byzantine past as well as the today’s contemporaneous cosmopolitan character.
The Concert Hall has a large and fully equipped auditorium, superb acoustics, seating capacity 1,464, with 1,060 to be on the square, in 88 galleries and 316 of them on the balcony.
Impressive is the reception hall (foyer) while the excellent design and combination of infrastructure and operational areas such as offices for administrative and technical services, the necessary facilities to support the operations and the events such as dressing rooms, test rooms, warehouses, together with the anticipation for people with disabilities and the adequate seats and lifts make an exceptional building, the pride of the city.
The Concert Hall was opened on January 2, 2000 and began scheduled events in May 2000.
The operation has contributed decisively to the cultural, social and economic development of the city. The organization of many important cultural events, together with the presentation international conferences and exhibitions has turned the city of Thessaloniki into an international cultural center of the region of Macedonia and the Balkans.
94 locals recommend
Thessaloniki Concert Hall
& 25is MartiouThessaloniki Concert Hall came to fulfill the desire of the people of Thessaloniki and the surrounding areas for a place dedicated to musical and artistic activities.
The Thessaloniki Concert Hall was built along the coast of the city, near the Thessaloniki Poseidonion Sports Centre, in an area of 18.000 sq. m.
The Concert Hall is a modern cultural and congress center built on international standards, holding the potential to host large scale events such as operas, concerts, ballets, theatrical plays, art and cultural exhibitions and conference events.
The building was designed by the famous architect Arata Isozaki to be a landmark and a diamond on the crown of the city.
The exterior of the building is fully harmonized with the history of the city combining elements from the glorious
Byzantine past as well as the today’s contemporaneous cosmopolitan character.
The Concert Hall has a large and fully equipped auditorium, superb acoustics, seating capacity 1,464, with 1,060 to be on the square, in 88 galleries and 316 of them on the balcony.
Impressive is the reception hall (foyer) while the excellent design and combination of infrastructure and operational areas such as offices for administrative and technical services, the necessary facilities to support the operations and the events such as dressing rooms, test rooms, warehouses, together with the anticipation for people with disabilities and the adequate seats and lifts make an exceptional building, the pride of the city.
The Concert Hall was opened on January 2, 2000 and began scheduled events in May 2000.
The operation has contributed decisively to the cultural, social and economic development of the city. The organization of many important cultural events, together with the presentation international conferences and exhibitions has turned the city of Thessaloniki into an international cultural center of the region of Macedonia and the Balkans.
The Cinema Museum was founded in early 1995 following a decision from the Organization “Thessaloniki Cultural Capital of Europe 1997.”
Today it is part of the Thessaloniki Film Festival and has its own steering committee.
It is hosted in Warehouse 1, in a building on the quay of the port 1 at the end of the old waterfront, close to Aristotle’s Square.
The mission of the museum is to collect, preserve and display as museum exhibits, artifacts from the cinema history and life in Greece.
The creation of the museum was possible after the purchase of the Film collection of the Thessaloniki’s cinematographer Nikos Bililis.
The exhibits include film cameras and projectors, old parts and accessories for cinematographic equipment, containers for film developing, lenses, equipment and film subtitling material as well as movies, reportage films, posters from nearly two thousand movies, giant handmade film posters, the musical background to all cinematographic works published before 1995 on LP Vinyl records and CD, and a film archive.
The visitors and researchers of the museum’s archive can find information about the cinema in Greece since 1985. This includes information on the film festival, public screenings of films in Greek cinemas as well as biographical information on directors and actors.
Similar work for the period 1926 – 1985 is now ready to be completed.
The museum organizes guided tours and shows film-clips in a room specially designed for this purpose.
(Closest bus stop Port in 50 meters distance)
41 locals recommend
Thessaloniki Cinema Museum & Cinematheque
The Cinema Museum was founded in early 1995 following a decision from the Organization “Thessaloniki Cultural Capital of Europe 1997.”
Today it is part of the Thessaloniki Film Festival and has its own steering committee.
It is hosted in Warehouse 1, in a building on the quay of the port 1 at the end of the old waterfront, close to Aristotle’s Square.
The mission of the museum is to collect, preserve and display as museum exhibits, artifacts from the cinema history and life in Greece.
The creation of the museum was possible after the purchase of the Film collection of the Thessaloniki’s cinematographer Nikos Bililis.
The exhibits include film cameras and projectors, old parts and accessories for cinematographic equipment, containers for film developing, lenses, equipment and film subtitling material as well as movies, reportage films, posters from nearly two thousand movies, giant handmade film posters, the musical background to all cinematographic works published before 1995 on LP Vinyl records and CD, and a film archive.
The visitors and researchers of the museum’s archive can find information about the cinema in Greece since 1985. This includes information on the film festival, public screenings of films in Greek cinemas as well as biographical information on directors and actors.
Similar work for the period 1926 – 1985 is now ready to be completed.
The museum organizes guided tours and shows film-clips in a room specially designed for this purpose.
(Closest bus stop Port in 50 meters distance)
The Museum is located in the city center as the national benefactor Mr. Andreas Syngros had the vision of establishing the home of the Macedonian struggle and he decided to finance this project.
The museum was designed by Ernst Ziller and opened its doors in 1981 operating inside a neoclassical building.
In this building was operating the Greek general consulate from 1893 to 1912.
The museum is a private property and it is run by the Association of Friends of the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle.
There are many important exhibits with the arsenal of the times holding a dominating place while uniforms, the memorabilia and the personal items of the leaders of the Macedonian Struggle (1904–8) also holding their exceptional post.
The numerous uniforms, a collection of 1,350 contemporary photographs the explanatory maps, books, newspapers, and paintings of the Macedonian landscape in the late 19th and early 20th century are completing the total picture.
The exhibits occupy seven rooms and are grouped as follows:
Macedonia before the outbreak of the Struggle
The struggle in western Macedonia
The consulate and the organization of Thessaloniki
The office of the consul Lambros Koromilas
The role of the people of Macedonia in the Struggle
The Struggle in central and eastern Macedonia
The Struggle in the Lake of the city of Giannits
The events in Macedonia after the end of the Struggle and the revolution of the neo-Turks’.
In the basement there are life-size dioramas of scenes from the Struggle, a school at the beginning of the 20th century, the Patriarchists’ struggle to protect their churches from the attacks of the Exarchists, the action of Greek corps on Giannitsa Lake, and the arrival of a spy in Florina city.
The first floor has an audio-visual system presenting films from the history of Macedonia.
(Closest station Agia Sofia church, in 400meters distance)
32 locals recommend
Museum of the Macedonian Struggle
23 Proxenou KoromilaThe Museum is located in the city center as the national benefactor Mr. Andreas Syngros had the vision of establishing the home of the Macedonian struggle and he decided to finance this project.
The museum was designed by Ernst Ziller and opened its doors in 1981 operating inside a neoclassical building.
In this building was operating the Greek general consulate from 1893 to 1912.
The museum is a private property and it is run by the Association of Friends of the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle.
There are many important exhibits with the arsenal of the times holding a dominating place while uniforms, the memorabilia and the personal items of the leaders of the Macedonian Struggle (1904–8) also holding their exceptional post.
The numerous uniforms, a collection of 1,350 contemporary photographs the explanatory maps, books, newspapers, and paintings of the Macedonian landscape in the late 19th and early 20th century are completing the total picture.
The exhibits occupy seven rooms and are grouped as follows:
Macedonia before the outbreak of the Struggle
The struggle in western Macedonia
The consulate and the organization of Thessaloniki
The office of the consul Lambros Koromilas
The role of the people of Macedonia in the Struggle
The Struggle in central and eastern Macedonia
The Struggle in the Lake of the city of Giannits
The events in Macedonia after the end of the Struggle and the revolution of the neo-Turks’.
In the basement there are life-size dioramas of scenes from the Struggle, a school at the beginning of the 20th century, the Patriarchists’ struggle to protect their churches from the attacks of the Exarchists, the action of Greek corps on Giannitsa Lake, and the arrival of a spy in Florina city.
The first floor has an audio-visual system presenting films from the history of Macedonia.
(Closest station Agia Sofia church, in 400meters distance)
The church of Prophet Elias is a very important monument for the city of Thessaloniki since is the only church in Thessaloniki which was constructed with the technique used by the Palaeologus family.
Its architectural design is cross shaped with four-columns, known as the Athoniki technique since it was used exclusively in the holly Mount of Athos.
The church was built on a hill overlooking the city, in the 14th century and is located at the intersection of Olympiados and the Prophet Elias streets, in the Upper city.
Originally thought to belong to the Monastery of Nea Moni, but later identified as the monastery of Akarnios.
in 1430, during the Ottoman occupation, the church of Prophet Elias, converted into a mosque and all its frescoes were almost destroyed.
Today very few frescoes exist, at the inner church.
(The monument is approached by the attitude of St. Demetrios and is only 450 meters, away.)
10 locals recommend
Prophet Elias Church
91 Προφήτη ΗλίαThe church of Prophet Elias is a very important monument for the city of Thessaloniki since is the only church in Thessaloniki which was constructed with the technique used by the Palaeologus family.
Its architectural design is cross shaped with four-columns, known as the Athoniki technique since it was used exclusively in the holly Mount of Athos.
The church was built on a hill overlooking the city, in the 14th century and is located at the intersection of Olympiados and the Prophet Elias streets, in the Upper city.
Originally thought to belong to the Monastery of Nea Moni, but later identified as the monastery of Akarnios.
in 1430, during the Ottoman occupation, the church of Prophet Elias, converted into a mosque and all its frescoes were almost destroyed.
Today very few frescoes exist, at the inner church.
(The monument is approached by the attitude of St. Demetrios and is only 450 meters, away.)
Byzantine church, built in 1028, with three domes and surviving murals dedicated to the Virgin Mary protector of the coppersmiths. The church was renovated in the 14th century. The name “Mary of Chalkeon” was due to its location in the center of the copper processing professionals operating in the area from the medieval years until today.
The church has a longitudinal cross shape with 3 holly niches at the east side and a narthex at the west side.
The marble lintel of the main entrance at the west, reminds the visitors that the church was founded by “Christopher Protospatharios a Byzantine official.
During the Turkish occupation the church was converted into a mosque to be converted into a church again after the liberation of the city in 1912.
The renovation began a few years later to restore the frescoes covered with lime from the Ottomans
Today, visitors have the opportunity to observe two layers of frescoes dating from the 11th and 14th century.
(The monument is approached by the Aristotle Square station.)
15 locals recommend
Church of Panagia Chalkeon
2 ChalkeonByzantine church, built in 1028, with three domes and surviving murals dedicated to the Virgin Mary protector of the coppersmiths. The church was renovated in the 14th century. The name “Mary of Chalkeon” was due to its location in the center of the copper processing professionals operating in the area from the medieval years until today.
The church has a longitudinal cross shape with 3 holly niches at the east side and a narthex at the west side.
The marble lintel of the main entrance at the west, reminds the visitors that the church was founded by “Christopher Protospatharios a Byzantine official.
During the Turkish occupation the church was converted into a mosque to be converted into a church again after the liberation of the city in 1912.
The renovation began a few years later to restore the frescoes covered with lime from the Ottomans
Today, visitors have the opportunity to observe two layers of frescoes dating from the 11th and 14th century.
(The monument is approached by the Aristotle Square station.)
Is a church dedicated to Virgin Mary and its name is translated “not made by human hand”.
The basilica mentioned in written sources as the church of the Virgin Mary’s and even as the great church of the Virgin Mary. The Acheiropoiitos name first appeared in a document of 1320 and it was related to the holly image of the Virgin.
The church was built over the ruins of a Roman bath during the fifth century.
The Acheiropoiitos name first appeared in a document of 1320 and it was related to the holly image of the Virgin.
The church was built over the ruins of a Roman bath during the fifth century.
This church was the first which was converted into a mosque during the year of 1430, when the Ottomans invaded and conquered Thessaloniki.
The frescoes and mosaics of the church were destroyed almost completely.
From the rich sculptural decoration stands out the Ionic capitals which came directly from the 5th century’s laboratories of Constantinople.
Today, visitors can observe some parts of frescoes which still exist and they are dated from the 13th century and parts of the mosaics which have survived and are dated from the 5th century.
(The monument is approached by the attitude of Saint (Hagia) Sophia in less than 200 meters)
16 locals recommend
Church of Panagia Acheiropoietos
56 Agias SofiasIs a church dedicated to Virgin Mary and its name is translated “not made by human hand”.
The basilica mentioned in written sources as the church of the Virgin Mary’s and even as the great church of the Virgin Mary. The Acheiropoiitos name first appeared in a document of 1320 and it was related to the holly image of the Virgin.
The church was built over the ruins of a Roman bath during the fifth century.
The Acheiropoiitos name first appeared in a document of 1320 and it was related to the holly image of the Virgin.
The church was built over the ruins of a Roman bath during the fifth century.
This church was the first which was converted into a mosque during the year of 1430, when the Ottomans invaded and conquered Thessaloniki.
The frescoes and mosaics of the church were destroyed almost completely.
From the rich sculptural decoration stands out the Ionic capitals which came directly from the 5th century’s laboratories of Constantinople.
Today, visitors can observe some parts of frescoes which still exist and they are dated from the 13th century and parts of the mosaics which have survived and are dated from the 5th century.
(The monument is approached by the attitude of Saint (Hagia) Sophia in less than 200 meters)