Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki (in Greek: Θεσσαλονίκη) is the second largest city of Greece and the capital of the administrative area of Macedonia. Its population with the suburbs is about 996,000 inhabitants. The city is located around the coast of the Thermaikos Gulf (Gulf of Thessaloniki) and is characterized with a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers.
It is believed that Thessaloniki was founded by the Macedonian king Kassander in 4 century BC and named after his wife Thessaloniki. Over the centuries it was conquered by different nations and today the remnants of their cultures can been seen. Some of the monuments are listed as the World Heritage List of UNESCO.
Each year in Thessaloniki events are organized such as the International Trade Fair, International Film Festival, International Festival of Photography, the Dimitria festival which continues for 3 months with various music, dance and exhibition events, and many others.
Popular and interesting places to visit in Thessaloniki are:
- the White Tower - a museum and symbol of Thessaloniki, with beautiful city views from the roof
- the Palace of Galerius, including The Arch of Galerius (the Chamber) and The Rotunda (former mausoleum of Emperor Galerius, today the church of St. George)
- The Roman Forum, or rather its remains
- the Church of St.Dimitar (Agios Dimitrios) and the crypt with his mortal remains
- the Church of St. Sophia (Agia Sofia) from 8 century and the Temple of Panagia (Virgin Mary) from 1028, built in the center of Thessaloniki
- the Temples of Prophet Elijah (Profitis Ilias), Saint Catherine (Agia Ekaterina) and St. Nicholas (Agios Nikolaos)
- the Fortress Walls
- the Archaeological Museum
- the TV tower with pastry shop on the top
- Ta Liadadika - a neighborhood next to the center of Thessaloniki, which in the past was Jewish quarter and today looks like an old city with well-preserved houses and small streets
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highlights: Popular and interesting places to visit in Thessaloniki, city in Thessaloniki Region, North Greece, Greece