Thessaloniki
Accommodations
in Thessaloniki
THESSALONIKI.The capital of Macedonia and second largest
city of Greece. It was first established in 316 RC. 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 AD.) and that Demetrius, a Roman officer
died in martyrdom, thus becoming the holy patron of the city
for ever. (303 AD.)
Thessaloniki becomes the second important city of the Byzantine
Empire, next to Constantinople, ornamented with numerous majestic
and glamorous architectural works that display all forms of
Byzantine art. After this illustrious era, the enemies take
over. But each
time, after every catastrophe, Thessaloniki reexalts her splendour,
dressed in her eternal garment of ancient and Byzantine glory.
THE MODERN CITY
Today Thessaloniki with its University and the international
Trade Fair - a crossroad for peoples' friendship and collaboration-
is a lively modern city bustling with life and movement. Large
avenues, parks and squares, lines of trees that frame commercial
streets with showy shop-windows. Old houses, neoclassical buildings,
modern dwellings. Yesterday meets today at old taverns, "ouzeries",
restaurants next to hotels and luxury bars, "bouzouki
halls" (Thessaloniki is the cradle of modern Greek popular
song, "rembetiko"), cinema halls, theatres and confectioner's
shops that arrange their seats and tables on street pavements
and squares. Small family run taverns and basement
pastry shops offer a delicious variety of famous Macedonian
specialities, next to
stalls of ice-cream sellers for busy passers by. And then,
peace. After the lively city, a different world: The Upper
City (Ano-Poli), full of poetry and charm. Old neighbourhoods
with narrow streets and lovely small gardens. Yards with clothes-lines
and children playing jauntily in front of wide open doors.
Popular songs and the sweet smell of night flowers. At every
step you can hear the heart of Thessaloniki throb. A heart
that is immortal both in sorrow and in joy. A friendly heart
to all - the Greek and the foreign alike...
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
The Palace of Galerius (300 AD.) at Navarino
Square.
The Roman Market and Theatre: Ruins standing at the Law Court
Square (Dikastiria).
Roman Baths: North of the church of Agios Dimitrios.
Nymphaion: An elegant monopteral, circular building.
MONUMENTS - CHURCHES
Galerian Arch (Kamara) erected short before 305 AD.
The Rotonda, a domed building of early 4th century AD., destined
to serve as a Pantheum or as a Mausoleum for emperor Galerius.
The Ahiropiitos (middle 5th century AD.) and the cruciform
church of Ossios David (late 5th century AD.), the chapel of
the Latomos Convent, are the two early Christian churches that
still stand in Thessaloniki. The Walls were erected during
the time of Theodossios the Great to give the city from Democracy
Square of nowadays across Eptapyrgio up to the site later occupied
by the White Tower, a work of the architect Sinan (first half
of 16th century).
Agios Dimitrios, was completely rebuilt in 1948 according the
original plans. The church has been destroyed twice before
by fire. The Crypt, the most easterly section of the Bath,
is the place where St Demetrios was imprisoned, tortured and
buried.
Agia Sofia (8th century) marks the transition from the domed
basilica to the domed cruciform church.
Panagia Halkeon, a cruciform church, was built
in 1028 AD. according an inscription of that era.
Agia Ekaterini (13th
century) is very well preserved externally, with traces of
frescoes inside.
Agii Apostoli (14th century) retains a rich decoration bath
externally and in the interior, dating at the time of the
Byzantine Paleologos imperial dynasty.
Agios Nikolaos Orfanos (14th century), 20
lrodotou Str. richly decorated with frescoes
became in the
17th century
the chapel of
Vlatadon Monastery. lts farm has been greatly
changed since the time of its erection.
Profitis Ilias was built in 1360 upon the ruins of a Byzantine
palace by the monk Makarios tloumnos. The post Byzantine
era has also left in Thessaloniki an important number of
churches.
MUSEUMS
Archaeological: HANTH Square, Displaying sculpture of
the archaic, classical and Roman periods- A special wing
houses
the impressive unique foundings of Vergina.
New museum of Byzantine Culture 2 Stratou St.
Ethnological and Popular art: 68, Vas- Olgas, displaying
costumes and objects of the last 250 years of Greek national
life and culture.
Museum of the Macedonian Struggle: 23, Proxenou Koromila
Str Exhibits from the years of local national resistance
1878-1912.
White Tower Museum: An exhibition of the history and art
of Byzantine Thessaloniki covering the period between 300
and 1430 AD.
Gallery-of Fine Arts: 1, Nic. Germanou Str. inside the building
of the National Theatre Important works of Greek and foreign
painters.
Municipal Gallery: 162, Vas. Olgas,
Museum of the Crypt: Inside the church of Agios Dimitrios
Museum of the Society for Macedonian Studies: 1, Nic. Germanou
Str.
Northern Greece Cultural Centre: 108, Vas. Olgas Str
Macedonian Centre of Modern Art: International Trade Fair
grounds
Technical Museum of Thessaloniki: Thessaloniki Industrial
Area, 2nd Streel, Building no 47
Worth visiting are also the two concert Halls, the National
Theatre, National Orchestra, the Society for Macedonian Studies,
the Foundation for the Emos Peninsula Studies and the unique
in the world Foundation for Patristic Studies, the University
Institutes, the International Trade Fair of Thessaloniki
grounds and the Macedonian Press Agency. The forest, rather
a large park, and the sites of Hortiatis, Panorama and Oreokastro
are worth a visit. A variety of fishermen's town lets as
well as populous beaches of Aretsou, Perea, Nei Epivates,
Agia triada, Nea Mihaniona, Epanomi, Asprovalta by the Thermaikos
Gulf can offer a special atmosphere and an unforgettable
sunset.
source: Greek National Tourist Organisation
|
|
|
