Thessaloniki sights and landmarks guide

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 people left a mark on the city, and there are landmarks from every historic period. Thessaloniki has a wealth of historical sites that are considered World Heritage Sites, a definite proof that they are worth visiting. This Thessaloniki Sights Guide points out some of the must-see attractions of this beautiful city.

Thessaloniki Sights Guide - Buildings and Architecture

The White Tower has become over the years en emblem of Thessaloniki. The Ottomans built the waterfront tower to serve as a prison, and it subsequently became the scene of many grisly executions. The initial name of the tower was the “Tower of Blood”, but when Greece gained control over the city, it was whitewashed and renamed so as to erase some of its gruesome history. The Arch and the Tomb of Galerius are twin monuments from the Roman period, built as annexes to the Royal Palace whose ruins are close by. The Arch of Galerius used to be a triple arch celebrating the victory of the emperor over the Persians, but nowadays only parts of the structure still stand. The Tomb of Galerius is better known as the Rotunda, or the Church of Agios Gerogios. Galerius intended the building as a sumptuous resting place for himself, but he was eventually buried in Serbia. The Rotunda is now an Orthodox church, although the cylindrical structure resembles a temple or a mausoleum. The majestic Aristotelous Square is a landmark in itself. The beautiful uniform architecture of all the buildings lining the square and the stunning view to the sea make the square one of the favorite spots among tourists and locals alike.

Thessaloniki Sights Guide - Galleries and Museums

There are numerous museums in Thessaloniki, most of them celebrating the past and the culture of the city. There are at least a dozen galleries in the city, with various things on display. Perhaps the most intriguing museum in Thessaloniki is the Folklore and Ethnological Museum of Macedonia and Thrace, founded in the 1970’s and located in a magnificent Art Nouveau building known as the Old Government House. The museum houses an impressive collection of traditional objects such as weapons, household tools that have been used by the early inhabitants of the region. Art lovers will love the State Museum of Contemporary Art, a display whose main feature is the collection of Russian Avant-garde paintings, but which also includes numberless works by famous contemporary artists. If you are interested in the city’s history, this Thessaloniki Sights Guide recommends that you visit the Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum, which houses beautiful classical, Hellenistic and Roman sculptures.