Spending a few days in Thessaloniki, Greece
Reviews > Europe > Greece > Thessaloniki > Spending a few days in Thessaloniki
A visitor approaching Thessaloniki from the sea will have a first glimpse of a modern metropolis, lots of blocks of flats and other modern buildings.
This sight was very different a few hundred years ago. A major change in the façade of the city took place after the 1917 fire destroyed a great part of it leading to a new infrastructure plan to be developed, but something was still left for example the old neighborhood of Kastra and other major Roman ruins and ottoman buildings. They were renovated and the city of Thessaloniki was named a European cultural capital.
History
The city was founded in 316 BC by king Cassander who named the city after his wife. The city developed during Roman times. Christianity flourished in the settlement under the Byzantine rulers who built new churches. Despite the many attacks, earthquakes, fires or epidemics, the city continued to prosper.
After 1500 many Jews came from Spain to settle here making up almost half of the city’s population. After the war, the Nazi took most of them to concentration camps and at present, there are less than one thousand Jews left. Lots of other refugees made up the city’s population giving it a multicultural feel and making the local cuisine a very rich one in flavors.
Attractions
- The International Fair that takes place every year in October makes the city an important commercial centre
- The Museum of Archeology boasts Macedonian, and Roman artifacts from the whole region. Verghina collection holds some magnificent treasures: jewels, household items made of gold, the king’s crown, and many other.
- Churches- here in the city more byzantine churches have survived the ottoman destruction than in other places. The earliest churches have been adapted from Roman basilicas, that were in turn built upon old Greek temples. You can visit Ahiropitos and Aghios Dhimitrios. The last one is the church that has been built short time after the death of Saint Dhimitrios on the place where he was kild. This is the biggest church in Greece, almost completely reconstructed after the 1917 fire.
- Osios Dhavid- is what is left of Latomos monastery and you can find it in the old Kastra neighborhood.
- Aghia Sofia – dating the 8th century was built to imitate the one with the same name in Constantinople
- Aghios Nikolaos Orfanos is the most beautiful church located in the northeastern part of Kastra
- The Byzantine Museum boasts an exquisite art collection, icons, ceramics, coins
- Modhiano covered market- bearing the name of the Jewish family who built it, sells fresh meat and fish
The surrounding area makes for a day trip and you can see the ruins of Dion and the beautiful Mount Olimp.
1. Aug 27, 2008 Spending a few days in Thessaloniki (Thessaloniki)
Start from beginning | 1 - 1 Journal overview
Read about Thessaloniki in our travel-guide
Recommended Thessaloniki Guide
Thessaloniki Sights
Thessaloniki in Central Macedonia is the second largest city in Greece, and along with Kavala, Athens and Iraklion, one of the most popular tourist destinations of the country. Thanks to its rich history that spans over more than 3000 years, Thessaloniki is the most important cultural and economic centre after Athens. The port, which had a great contribution to the city’s development, is even today a notable commercial port. The strategic location of Thessaloniki determined many neighboring nations to take hold of the city. The city has belonged consecutively to the Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines and the Ottomans. Each one of these... Read more »
Recent reviews for Thessaloniki
Matala is a nice Greek town - Apr 1, 2009, by Wazling
It's a small greek city, offering not much nightlife or something like that. It's more the nature, that makes the area attractive. Matala has got some nice beaches, some surrounded by stone age caves, or occupied by old aged hippies. If you... Read more »
What to do in Gythion - Apr 3, 2009, by Wazling
If you're in the south of Greece and you want to go somewhere by bus, go to Gythion. There's a bus mainstation, from where you can reach all smaller destinations without a railwayconnection. Besides that, the city isnt very beautiful.But it... Read more »
The most beautiful city in Greece - Jun 30, 2009, by angel
Litochoro is a small town at the feet of the Olymp mountains. It has a small center with a beautiful fountain and many restaurants and lovely bars. You can have some great Greek food here, it's very tasty and not very expensive. From the... Read more »
A trip to the Ancient Argos - Apr 6, 2009, by Wazling
If you're interested in ancient greek history, you should visit the ancient city of Argos. The city got it's name after the giant who had a thousand eyes and watched over the treasures of the gods. There are beautiful ruins, places for... Read more »
Beach brake at Kaiafa - May 14, 2008, by Wazling
Nice pause during our trip. The place was made up of only of 3 houses, a small railwaystation with a little restaurant, I guess you could call it this way, and a little aunties shop. It's a longer time ago, when I was there, but the... Read more »
More reviews you might be interested in
Bamberg reviews - Germany
Bamberg ist eine große Stadt und ich weiß wo sie liegt in Bayern.Dort gibt es die berühmten Bamberger Hörnle und reichlich...
Bamberg
Friedrichshafen reviews - Germany
Wo liegt Friedrichshafen? Friedrichshafen liegt in Baden-Wüttemberg in Deutschland in der Nähe des Bodensees. Friedrichshafen ist die...
Friedrichshafen für Besucher
Rust reviews - Germany
At the end of our holiday we visit Europa Park just 230 km from Ravensburg, the second biggest amusement park in Europe (the first is Disneyland in...
Europa Park in Rust
Waldburg reviews - Germany
On a steep, conical hill, the highest point of Oberschwaben (772 m above sea-level) the Waldburg rises. It was the ancestral castle of the lineage...
What to see in Waldburg
Leeds reviews - United Kingdom
Leeds is the biggest business city in Yorkshire. There are many nice restaurants and lots of shoppingcenters and shopping streets! If you like...
What you should know about Leeds
Thira reviews - Greece
It is a fabulous volcanic island with an antique minoan city. Some people think Santorini is the home of the lost city of Atlantis... The quite...
What to see in Santorini
Mexico City reviews - Mexico
Population: 104 million Major Airports: * Juarez International Airport, Mexico City - MEX * Cancun International Airport - CUN ...
Traveling in Mexico
Saltillo reviews - Mexico
This is a nice little town that offers some good life to the local people. It's not all that interesting to go there as a tourist, but if you want...
Things to do in Saltillo
Bryce Canyon reviews - Utah
We left early to one of the US's most incredible places, Bryce Canyon, which is also one of my personal favorites. For some reason most people have...
Our Bryce Canyon trip
Cottonwood reviews - Utah
Brighton Resort is a place where skier’s dream of plenty of snow can come true, here as in most of Utah’s resorts snow is incredible...
Skiers dream about Brighton Resort, UT