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Thessaloniki (Solun) is the most important commercial civic center of the Northeast part of the Mediterranean. It is built on the edge of the Thermaic Golf and was named after Macedonian King Phillip’s oldest daughter. There is plenty to see and admire in Thessaloniki for a one day trip.
History of Thessaloniki
City was founded and named by Kassander, one of the Generals of Alexander of Makedon in 316 BC.
It was from this city that St. Paul, the Apostle of the Nations, spread the Word of Christianity in 50 AD. The Roman Emperor Galerius, made the city his headquarter in AD 300. Demetrios, a Roman officer, was martyred, thus becoming Thessaloniki’s patron Saint in 303 AD. The wealth and glory of Byzantium followed and after a long succession of conquerors.
Getting to and around Thessaloniki
By Plane
Thessaloniki International Airport – Macedonia, is linked with Athens, Ioannina, Chania, Heraklion, Lesvos, Limnos and Rhodes. It is also linked with several major European cities.
By Train
There is connection with Athens and through the cities of Macedonia with Eastern Europe and through Turkey with Eastern Asian countries.
By Boat
Thessaloniki itineraries to the islands of Limnos, Lesvos, Chios, work throughout the year and during the summer with Crete and Cyclades islands.
Inviting places nearby include the forest of Seih-Su, Chortiatis, Panorama, Oreokastro, Asvestohori and the Thermaic Gulf with fishing villages and popular beaches such as Aretsou, Perea, Nei Epivates, Agia Triada, Nea Michaniona, Epanomi, Nea Krini.
Twenty kilometers north of Thessaloniki, Langadas has become famous for the fire-walking spectacle that takes place there each May.
Thessalonki sightseeings
Nowadays, Thessaloniki is a modern cosmopolitan city of particular charm with distinct signs of its long eventful history and its cosmopolitan character. The Arch and the Rotunda with its mosaics. The churches of Saint Sofia, the Achiropiitos, Ossios David, Saint Apostoli, Vlatadon monastery and Saint Nikolas represent every phase of Byzantine architecture and painting. Adding to the churches there are Byzantine walls, castles and towers with the White Tower as the most represented object and its twin tower, the Trigonio.
Center of Thessaloniki
The Archaeological Museum which surprises with the riches of its exhibition, while the folk Art Museum is truly entrancing with its lovely crafts, signs of the nobility of the 18th and 19th centuries. Not far from the museum is a contemporary landmark, the International Fair grounds, a crossroad of nations, for friendship and collaboration, and further up, the University named after Aristotle.
Thessaloniki pulsates with life. The streets are bustling with activity. Spacious avenues, parks, squares, trees, streets lined with shops and attractive show-windows. Thessaloniki’s market can satisfy any consumer’s needs. Old neoclassical houses are next to modern apartment blocks.
Nikis avenue offer a very pleasant stroll at the seafront. Now and then one can see taverns, ouzo-bars, restaurants and pastry shops that offer typical Macedonian delicatessen and sweets.
Visitors can seat at the open air and enjoy ice cream and the typical vanilla sweet ”bouzokia” for those who prefer Greek bouzouki sounds.
Historical suburbs of Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki was the place where ”rebetika” was born. Moreover, Modiano market, Ladadika the historical suberb near the port now an entertaining modern center, the Behtsinar area (”Princes Gardens”) where Milos the windmill cultural and entertaining center is located, with its cinemas and theaters. The renovated Royal Theater, which hosts the National Theater stands out by the waterfront. Also, worth visiting is the new impressive building of the Music Concert Hall.
Thessaloniki Upper town
But there are also places where one can relax as the Upper Town with its poetry and charm, the old neighborhoods with narrow alleys and gardens, courtyards draped with laundry, wide-open doors and carefree children playing and ”rebetika”melodies and the scent of exotic flowers in the air. Another world after the buzz of the city.
Thessaloniki Archaeological sites
– The Palace of Galerius from AD 300, today it is called Navarinou square,
– Ruins of the Roman Forum and Theatre located at Dikastirion Square,
– In the crypt of the church of Saint Demetri are located the Roman Baths,
– The Nymphaion is an elegant, circular monoptera structure. One of its cisterns is the chapel of Saint John the Baptist.
Monuments and Churches to visit in Thessaloniki
– The Arch of Galerius, dates back from 305 AD was built in commemoration of Galerius’s victory over the Persians in 297 AD,
– The Rotunda is a circular building erected in AD 306 as the Pantheon or Mausoleum of Galerius. Under Theodosius the Great it became a Christian church with only a few additions or alterations to its beautiful mosaics.
– The Ahiropiitos or The Saint Sophia church represents a large, Early Christian basilica built in the 5th century with mosaics of astounding beauty and harmony of colors,
– The Old Walls wer erected under the rule of Theodosius the Great and they encircle the medieval city boundaries,
– The White Tower at the seafront avenue is the major city’s trademark. It was erected during the 15 century for defensive purposes and later became a jail for death penalty prisoners,
– Sain Demetri Church was restored in 1948 as a five-aisled basilica. The church was built on top of the old Roman baths and is decorated with mosaics,
– The Crypt from the 8th century is representing the transition period from the domed basilica to the cruciform plan with dome,
– Saint Ekaterini Church from the 13 th century with a beautifully preserved exterior and some fragments of frescoes.
Thessaloniki Events
Every September Thessaloniki hosts and International Trade Fair, displaying domestic and foreign products of all kinds, in which participate dozens of countries and thousands of exhibitors. Other, more specialized trade fairs are held throughout the year. These include the Textilia, Agrotica, Interkid, Furnide, Infacoma, Exploria, Philoxenia all organized under the Thessaloniki International Fair Organization.
Every year in May the International Thessaloniki Book Fair is held. October is the month for a series of cultural events. Dimitri are held in honor of the city’s patron Saint. November is the month of the International Thessaloniki Film Festival, during which International and Domestic film competition takes place.
Conference Facilities
Thanks to the Helexpo -International Fair Conference Center, Thessaloniki has been internationally recognized as a convention center. This conference Center, located in the heart of town, at 154 Egnatia street is fully equipped with instant interpretation systems, slide and video projectors, air conditioning and full equipment of the latest technology. Many hotels are equipped with facilities to accommodate conferences and similar events.
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