Thessaloniki 2021: attractions and rest
Thessaloniki is the second largest and most populous Greek city (after Athens), the capital of Central Macedonia.
Thessaloniki is an ancient city (founded in 315 BC), it has echoes and traces of great empires: Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman.
Thessaloniki is called the “Holy City”, “City of Praise Singed”, “Blessed Capital”.
The city is considered the cultural capital of Greece, it is known for its famous sights, holidays, festivals.
Thessaloniki
Hagia Sophia Temple
Hagia Sophia is one of the oldest churches in Thessaloniki. The cathedral is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The main reason why it became so popular is its architecture (famous mosaics, mighty domes and sculptures, frescoes). All architecture belongs to Byzantine and Christian times. After the conquest of the city, the Ottoman invaders traditionally used this building as a mosque, this continued until 1912. Since then, a lot of time has passed and everything has returned to normal. Undoubtedly, the cathedral has this unforgettable grandeur and beauty. Thessaloniki is the capital of Greece, because there is a crossroads of continents and trade routes.
Thanks to its architecture and decoration, the Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Thessaloniki in 1988 became part of Byzantine and Early Christian monuments, which were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Old town.
The Old Town (Ano Poli) is one of the main attractions of the Greek city of Thessaloniki. It is located north of its central part and is the highest part of Thessaloniki.
This is the only area of the city that remained unharmed after the terrible fire of 1917. Ano Poli is currently under UNESCO protection. There are many ancient monuments and museums.
Coordinates of the Old City of Thessaloniki: 40.64209400,22.94644200. Official address: Greece, Thessaloniki, Ano Poli. From the modern city center, you can walk here. From public transport to Ano Poli you will be taken by buses No. 23 and No. 24.
Modiano Market
The central market of Thessaloniki "Modiano" is located in the central part of the city. The architect Eli Modiano designed the buildings around, his name was given to the market. People are happy to rush here for shopping, and also like to spend time in small restaurants.
Here you can find a variety of authentic goods - meat, seafood and fresh fish, olives, cheeses, sweets, bakery products, greens, fruits and vegetables. It is usually produced or grown by local people.
In restaurants you will be offered coffee in Greek, meze, anise vodka, pastries. Prices in restaurants are quite high. You can also see the performances of street musicians, sing your favorite songs. A peculiar flavor and Turkish baths, located on the market. Cultural events and exhibitions are often held here.
Monument to Alexander the Great
Monument to Alexander the Great, erected in 1973, is located on the embankment of the Aegean Sea, in the Greek city of Thessaloniki.
The monument, located on the shore of Thermaikos Bay, can be reached from Aristotle Square, moving along the embankment. The journey will take about 10 minutes. Also from different parts of the city there are buses No3, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 31, 39, 58, on which you can get to the monument. As a guide for tourists who decided to find a bronze statue, there will be another architectural monument of Thessaloniki - the White Tower, located on Victory Street.
The White Tower in Thessaloniki
The White Tower is considered a symbol of Thessaloniki, its main attraction. Located on the shore of the Thermal Bay, consists of six floors. Several times changed its name – Bloody, Lion, White. Its height reaches 27 meters.
In ancient times, there was a Turkish prison, so at one time it was called Bloody (blood flowed down its walls). Construction dates back to 1430. Sultan Mahmud II ordered the construction of a tower for the defense of the city, which was part of the city wall. The author of the project was the Ottoman architect Sinan.
First served as an outpost, barracks, and then a prison.
In 1912, the walls were whitewashed, changing their name. The tower belongs to the Byzantine Museum, which presents frescoes, icons, mosaics, sculptures, coins and ceramics. Even today it is a symbol of the greatness and power of the country. You can find the tower on the seaside boulevard Nikis near the Alexander Garden. You can get there on foot or by taxi.
Aristotle Square
Aristotle Square is the central square of the Greek city of Thessaloniki, named after the famous ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. It is located right in front of the embankment of Thessaloniki and is bounded by two monumental buildings of semicircular shape. In August 1917 in Thessaloniki there was a severe fire, which was destroyed a significant part of the city center. Shortly thereafter, a committee convened to restore the destroyed streets of the city. The architect was the Frenchman Ernest Ebrard. Restoration work was completed by the early 1960s. On the square is the theater "Olympion", it intersects with the main walking street, surrounded by buildings of light shades, built in the style of neoclassicism. From the square there is a magnificent view of the sea.
You can get to the square from the airport by bus number 1X; as well as by buses 3, 6, 12, 39, which follow through the central part of Thessaloniki.
Cathedral in honor of St. Dmitry
It is worth noting that according to some sources, the Heavenly Patron in Thessaloniki is Dmitry. He was a martyr and also held the post of proconsul in the 1st century, after which he was martyred for Jesus Christ.
A large number of tourists visiting Greece welcome trips to historical sites, namely, to various cathedrals. Here, as a rule, all branches of history related to the Bible are intertwined. The frescoes show some of the fragments of biblical events.
In the Temple there is a marble kivora, in which the relics of the martyr Dmitry are preserved. If we go into history, we can say for the fire that the Church suffered in 1917. The temple was successfully restored.
Temple of Gregory Palamas
The Temple of Gregory Palamas dates back to the 13th century. At first it was a small cathedral in the form of a three-nave basilica. Refers to samples of early Byzantine architecture. In 1890 it was destroyed in a fire. Its restoration was carried out by the best architects, including Ernst Ziller. This process lasted 24 years. In terms of architecture, this is the first temple of Thessaloniki with a dome.
The name was given in honor of the Archbishop of Greece, whose relics are stored here in a crust of silver. During the church service, relics are brought to the center. Gregory Palamas was known for the gift of healing and caring for the Christian community. He is honored along with St. Dimitri. To this day, ancient frescoes with episodes from the Bible, floors made of mosaics, stained glass windows and a secret crypt have been preserved. There is a museum exposition in the temple. Today it is the central cathedral of Thessaloniki.
The temple is located in the city center near the city promenade. You can get there by public transport or taxi, and from Aristotle Square it is a five-minute walk.
Platania Beach
Platania Beach is located near a village called Sarti, in the southern part of Sithonia. This attraction is not large, on the contrary, the beach can be called small. However, due to its fantastic appearance, due to its perfectly clean water and vegetation near the coast, it attracts thousands of tourists every year.
They are also attracted by the location of the beach. Surprisingly beautiful place near a very small village, where there is only one mini-market with food. Near Platania there are 2 more beautiful beaches for the whole family.
Photo: Free sources
Text: personalguide
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