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THESSALONIKI
History
The capital of Macedonia and 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 (303 A.D.).
Thessaloniki becomes the second important city of the Byzantine Empire, next to
Konstantinople, 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 splendor, 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, theaters 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 specialties, 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 neighborhoods 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 ...
What to see in Thessaloniki
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
- The Palace of Galerius (300 A.D.) at Navarino Square.
- Roman Market and Theater. Ruins standing at the Law Court
Square (Dikastiria).
- Roman Baths. North of the church of Agios
Dimitrios.
- Nymphaion. An elegant
nomopteral, circular building.
MONUMENTS - CHURCHES
- Galerian Arch (Kamara) erected short before 305 A.D.
- The Rotonda, a domed building of early 4th century A.D.,
destined to serve as a Pantheum or as a Mausoleum for emperor Galerius.
- The Ahiropiitos (middle 5th century A.D.) and the
cruciform church of Ossios David (late 5th century A.D.), 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 gird 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 crusiform church.
- Panagia Halkeon, a cruciform church, was built in 1028
A.D. 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
both externally and in the interior, dating at the time of the Byzantine Paleologos
imperial dynasty.
- Agios Nikolaos Orfanos (14th century), 20 Irodotou
Str..
tel. 213627 richly decorated with frescoes became in the 17th century the chapel of
Vlatadon Monastery. Its form 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 Houmnos. The postbyzantine era has also left in
Thessaloniki an important number of churches.
MUSEUMS
- Archaeological: HANTH Square, tel. 830538.
Displaying sculpture of the archaic, classical and Roman periods. A special wing houses
the impressive unique founding of Vergina.
- Ethnological and Popular art: 68, Vas.
Olgas, tel. 830591 displaying costumes and objects of the last 250 years of Greek national
life and culture.
- Museum of the Macedonian Struggle: 23,
Proxenou Koromila Str. tel. 229778. Exhibits from the years of local national resistance
1878 - 1912.
- White Tower Museum: tel. 267832. An
exhibition of the history and art of Byzantine Thessaloniki covering the period between
300 and 1430 A.D.
- Gallery of Fine Arts: 1,
Nic. Germanou Str.
inside the building of the National Theater, tel. 238601. Important works of Greek and
foreign painters.
- Municipal Gallery: 162, Vas.
Olgas, tel.
425531.
- Museum of the Crypt: Inside the church of
Agios Dimitrios, tel. 213627 - 270008.
- Museum of the Society for Macedonian Studies:
1, Nic. Germanou Str. tel. 238601.
- Northern Greece Cultural Center: 108, Vas.
Olgas Str., tel. 834404, 820240.
- Macedonian Center of Modern Art:
International Trade Fair grounds, tel. 471545.
- Technical Museum of Thessaloniki:
Thessaloniki Industrial Area, 2nd Street, Building no 47, tel. 799773.
Worth visiting are also the two concert Halls, the
National Theater, 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.
 RECREATION AREAS
The forest, rather a large park, and the sites of
Hortiatis, Panorama and Oreokastro are worth a visit. A variety of fishermen's townlets as
well as populous beaches with the names of Aretsou, Perea, Nei Epivates, Agia
Triada, Nea Mihaniona, Epanomi, Asprovalta by the Thermaikos gulf can offer a special atmosphere and
an unforgettable sunset. Little quiet tavernas will ensure a king's meal and a Greek God's
drink for the evening: To your health! "Stin igia sou!".
Useful Information
Communications
By Rail
Rail services link Thessaloniki with Athens and the towns of Macedonia and Thrace,
while the line through Yugoslavia provides connections with Central and Western Europe,
the line through Bulgaria with Eastern Europe and the line through Turkey with the
countries of the Near East. Information: State Railways offices at No 18, Aristotelous St.
tel. 276382, and the new railway terminal, tel. 517517.
By Road
Coach services are operated by KTEL between Thessaloniki and Athens, Larissa,
Volos,
Patras and Aedipsos (only during the summer).
Thessaloniki - Kilkis: Thessaloniki. Agency: 76, Gianitson St., tel. 521644.
Thessaloniki - Halkidiki: 68, Krakassi St., tel. 924444.
By Sea
There are connections by sea with the islands Lemnos, Lesbos, Hios all year round. Also
summer connections with the island groups of Sporades, Dodecanese and Cyclades.
Information: Thessaloniki Port Authority. Tel. 531505.
Conducted Tours
Half Day: City sightseeing/Ancient Pella/Vergina/Petralona Cave.
Full-Day: Filipi-Kavala-Amfipolis/Halkidiki/Pella-Edessa-Veria/Mt. Athos (Coach and Ship).
Two-Days:Meteora.
Facilities for Hiring Transport
Motorcars: At the car hire Agencies.
Aircraft: Through the Aeroclub, tel. 270963.
G.N.T.O. Beach Facilities
Akti Thermaikou: At Agia Triada (27 km). Open from 1st May to 30th September, tel.
0392/51360. Changing cabins, bar, supermarket, restaurant, children's playground, tennis
courts, volley-ball pitch. G.N.T.O. Marina: Tel. 426261.
Camping Grounds
Thessaloniki and its surroundings
- Akti Thermaikou (G.N.T.O.), tel. 0392/51360.
- Asprovalta (G.N.T.O.), tel. 0397/22249.
- Epanomi (G.N.T.O.), tel. 0392/41378-9.
There are also organized camping grounds in the area
run by individuals. Information can be obtained from the local Tourist Police.
 Sports
- Sailing: The Sailing Club, Megalou Alexandrou Ave.,
tel. 830939. The Naval Club of Thessaloniki: 96, Themistocles Sophouli St., Mikro
Emvolo,
tel. 414521.
- Tennis: Tennis Club, 16, Kyprou St. (Depot), tel.
411569.YMCA, tel. 274710. Poseidonion Athletic Center, Nea Paralia and 25th of March St.,
tel. 427414.
- Riding: Thessaloniki Riding Club, Panorama, tel.
270676.
- Cavalier, 14th km. towards the Farm School, tel.
473537.
- Rowing: Naval Club of
Kalamaria, Mikro Emvolo, tel.
412068.
Shopping
The shops in commercial streets of Thessaloniki, (Tsimiski, Venizelou, Agias
Sofias, Ermou, Mitropoleos, Egnatia and M. Iossif St.) offer a variety of jewelry, furs, popular
art and craft objects, clothing etc. to satisfy even the most demanding tastes.
Restaurants, Music-Halls
Apart from the many elegant restaurants in the city and the suburbs, there are also
numerous "ouzeries" and taverns. Excellent grilled meat and chicken are served
at the popular shops of the coast.
Music Halls, night clubs, discotheques are open till late at night, whereas those who
prefer the bouzouki music can choose from a range of special tavernas in the area of the
Airport.
Specialties
Tripe, served in various sauces, "peinirli" (seasoned bread topped and baked
with cheese, bacon, ham, eggs etc.), seafood (try fried mussels or mussels cooked with
rice), grilled chicken and "soutzoukakia" (spicy meat balls with garlic fried
and cooked in tomato sauce).
Cinemas
There are about one hundred cinemas, several of them open air operating in the summer.
Films are shown in their original language. There are also several theaters performing
mostly only in greek.
Events
Every year in September the INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR is held in Thessaloniki,
exhibiting Greek and foreign products of every description. After the Fair is over, the
GREEK FILM FESTIVAL takes place, showing short subjects and full length feature films.
Throughout the year, trade fairs for special interest groups such as TEXTILIA,
AGROTICA, INTERKID, FURNIDEC, INFACOMA, EXPLORIA, PHILOXENIA, DETROP, KOSMIMA etc. are organized by
the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair administration. October is the month for the
DIMITRIA, the artistic and cultural events held in honor of the city's patron saint
Demetrius, as well as the GREEK LIGHT SONG FESTIVAL.
Congress - Halls
Thessaloniki is an internationally renown Congress-city, thanks to the HELEXPO TRADE
FAIR Congress center, 154, Egnatia St., Tel. 031-239221. The center is fully equipped
(providing translation facilities, projectors, slides, video, air-conditionning etc.).
Also a number of hotels both in Thessaloniki and Halkidiki, provide halls and congress
facilities upon request.
Useful telephone numbers
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