The rhythm of the rolling waves of the Thermaic Gulf has long set the pulse of the city. The second largest in Greece, Thessaloniki, is located on the northern Greek coast, framed by the waters of the Aegean Sea. The city’s fame has been known since ancient times as it was founded in 315 BC by Cassander of Macedon, who honored his wife, the half-sister of Alexander the Great, with the name Thessaloniki. It was the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia, the second city of the Byzantine Empire and a major trading post of the Ottoman Empire. Located 500 km from Athens, this port city serves as the gateway to the Balkans, the tripartite peninsula of Halkidiki and Mount Olympus.
The city’s long history is reflected in its stone buildings. Thessaloniki was granted the status of a free city in the Roman period and was a stop for merchants and Roman legions on the road to Byzantium – the road known as Via Egnatia. In the early 4th century AD, it was chosen as the residence of the Emperor Galerius. Remains of the ancient buildings have been preserved until, or modern times – the Hippodrome, the Rotunda, the Arch of Galerius and the Roman Forum, which has been excavated.
On the site of the Roman city was built the medieval city which was the second capital of the Byzantine Empire with Constantinople. In the combination of paleochristian and Byzantine culture, Thessalonica was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Among the 15 medieval monuments in the city is the most famous Basilica of St. Demetrius. An ancient church, built in the fifth century AD is considered the cathedral church of Thessalonica. Besides the cathedral, the ancient crypt and an impressive seventh-century mosaic are great historical and architectural significance. On the site of the Basilica of St. Demetrius excavations of later Byzantine monuments have been discovered. For example, the Church of the Holy Apostles and the Latomou Monastery are masterpieces of early Christian architecture. The rock tombs, spectacular masonry, and unique architectural features of these structures are a great interest and attracts many visitors to the city.
In 1430, the city was conquered by the Ottoman Turks and became the center of Europe’s Islamic culture. The ancient churches have been converted into mosques with minarets. Public baths have been constructed, and the city’s commercial infrastructure has been developed. Nevertheless, the most influential immigration of the 15th century was the Sephardic Jews, the first to arrive in Thessaloniki from Spain after the Spanish Inquisition. They brought the Ladino language with them and the city was called the Mother of Israel. The contribution of the Jews has had a tremendous effect on the development of the local cuisine and the urban culture as a whole. The cultural layer of medieval Thessaloniki has been partially preserved to this day and can be seen in the exhibits of the Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki. Another trace of those times is the anachronistic wooden architecture of the castle district of Ano Poli.
Modern Thessaloniki is a unique historical territory, which has made an incredible contribution to the development of the architectural styles and the urban planning traditions in the city. The building which is the most famous in the city, is the White Tower, a 34-meter tower dating from the 15th century built by the Ottomans. Inside the tower there is a museum with an exhibition of the history of Thessaloniki.
On the coast there is a sea promenade several kilometers long which is one of the highlights of the region. The promenade has been officially named Thermaic Promenade, and has been turned into a park with a system of 13 landscaped islands. The 10 m wide bike path winds its way along the water trail through the promenade and links up to the city. Every evening thousands of people gather to enjoy the view (on foot or by bike) as a local tradition and enjoy an unforgettable panorama of the bay with Mount Olympus rising in the distance. In addition to this the city has a monument called Umbrellas was built by the famous Greek sculptor Georgios Zongolopoulos.
For foodies, it has to be known that Thessaloniki is recognized as Greece’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Traditional Macedonian specialties, Anatolian dishes, Sephardic Jewish baked goods and fresh fish from the local Aegean Sea contribute to the unique Thessalonian cuisine. The variety of local dishes is astounding ranging from sweet semolina buns – bougatsa to sesame-coated bread rings – koulouri, various meat soups – soutzoukakia parmesan, delicacies from the local honey industry – trigona panormatis. Meals in Thessaloniki are taken leisurely, with meals accompanied by wine, ouzo, or tsipouro. Local taverns are famous for their meze – a selection of small dishes, which can be tasted with pleasure both in the traditional restaurants along the street and in the modern bars of the Ano Poli district.
Thus, the city of Thessaloniki has created for itself a great reputation as a great cultural and scientific center. The Aristotle University, one of the largest scientific and educational centers in the Balkans, gives the city a youthful dynamism. The old merchant city Ladadika, the 19th century warehouses of which have been transformed into numerous taverns and bars, also contributes. The youth pulse is also felt in the Valaoritou and Zefxidos streets, where the local bars and cocktail lounges invite you to enjoy a coffee or dinner. However, there are also many other faces of the city such as the traditional village of Ano Poli, perched on a hillside. Here, in the middle of the narrow streets and squares, you will find stone buildings, monasteries and the ancient walls of the city that will transport you back to the times of the city’s early foundation.
Numerous museums in Thessaloniki are dedicated to preserving the cultural and historical legacy of Northern Greece. The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki keeps one of the largest collections of antiquities from the country’s history among the museums in the city, some of which date back to the Neolithic period and the late antiquity period. The Museum of Byzantine Culture has one of the most impressive collections of religious icons, frescoes, jewelry, weapons, and other ancient artifacts – part of which is currently on display in a spectacular exhibition hall. The collection of modern art of the MOMus-Museum of Modern Art, including the unique Costakis Collection of Russian Avant-Garde, is also worth visiting. On the other hand, this city has plenty to offer both in terms of cultural and historical interest, as well as in terms of entertainment and leisure.
However at the same time, this city’s significance for Northern Greece may also be seen on the horizon of excursions that a day-trip from the city offers. Day-trip around the Royal Tomb of Aigai, Mount Olympus, and the Halkidiki Peninsula with great beaches, an important destination for those who choose Thessaloniki as a base. Flights from the Thessaloniki Airport “Macedonia” (IATA code: SKG), the well-developed bus system (the intercity buses OASTH), and the new metro line (connecting Thessaloniki’s port with the airport via the city center) ensure you can get around the city and its surrounds quickly and comfortably. It is easy in all seasons, spring and autumn being cool, but with plenty of sun. The public transport is well-developed, and the incidence of crime is low, which makes it ideal for a worry-free Mediterranean getaway.
