The capitol of Macedonia and second largest city of Greece.

Thessalonica is the capital of Macedonia and the second largest city of Greece. It was first established in 316 B.C. by Kassandros and named after his wife, Thessaloniki, sister of Alexander The Great. It is here that Paul, the Apostle of Nations, first brought the message of Christianity (50 A.D.) and that Demetrius, a Roman officer, died in martyrdom, thus becoming the holy patron of the city for ever (303A.D.). Thessalonica, Dion, Pella, Vergina are names that date since Alexander the Great‘s era and even further back. Names that have remained unaltered for thousands of years, that has been passed on from generation to generation, while this land saw one invasion follow another. Yet, in spite of so many conquests everything remained, as before, Greek.

Sites that you can visit are from Tessalonica are: Philippi, Meteora, Volos, Pelion, Vergina, Edessa, Kassandra , Sithonia, Dion, Olympus, Philippi.

HISTORY

Macedonia pertains to the Greek history and culture for 4000 years. Around the middle of the 4th century B.C. Macedonia became the leading power of the Greek World thanks to King Philip ii, who declared himself the Leader of a Greek Confederacy. His dream of a Panhellenic expedition against the Persians was destined to come true by his son, Alexander the Great, who took his army to the banks of Indos River. Greek art is thus expanded to the depths of East and is assimilated by local populations along with the memory of Alexander. The Great King shall survive through legends until the middle Ages and the European Renaissance.

WHAT TO SEE IN THESSALONICA

The Arch of Galerius: Was built a little before AD 305 in commemoration of Garius's victory over the Persians in AD 297. (It stands at the junction of Egnatia and D. Gounari Streets).

The Rotunda: 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. Its mosaics are unique for the era (4th century). (Located on D. Gounari Street).

The Ahiropiitos: A large, early Christian church built in the 5th century with mosaics of astounding beauty and harmony of color. (Located on Agia Sophia Street).

Ossios David Or The Latomos Monastery: Early Christian church constructed in the late 5th century. Its splendid mosaics portraying the glory of the Lord or the vision of Ezekiel are renowned. (Located in the Upper Town).

The Old Walls: Erected under Theodosius the Great they encircled the medieval city.

The White Tower: This large tower and its counter parts Trigoniou, at the southeast corner of the citadel were probably erected in the 15th century. Some smaller towers stood there before the 15th century.

Agios Demetrios: Restored in 1948 after having been destroyed by the great fire of 1918, in conformation with its original plan as a five-aisled basilica. The church was built on top of the old Roman baths and is decorated with mosaics.

The Crypt: The easternmost section of baths, where St. Demetrios was incarcerated, tortured and buried.

Agia Sofia: An 8th century building representing a transition from the domed basilica towards the cruciform plan with dome; superb mosaics.

The Panagia Halkeon: A cruciform church; an inscription records that it was built in 1028. The church contains lovely ceramic ornamentation and 65 stunning wall paintings.

Agia Ekaterini: (13th century), with a beautiful preserved exterior and some fragments of frescoes.

Agii Apostoli:(14th century), cruciform church with richly decorated facade, mosaics and frescoes from the Palaeologan era.

Vlatadon Monastery: In the Upper Town. Celebrated for its Ecumenical Foundation for Patristic Studies, the only one in the world. Its church is cruciform in plan with a dome (14th century).

Agios Nikolaos Orfanos: (14th century), with superb frescoes. It became a dependency of the Vlatadon Monastery in the 17th century.

Profitis llias: Was built in 1360, on the foundations of a Byzantine palace.