Sightseeing tour of Thessaloniki n

Have you come to the unfamiliar city of Thessaloniki? You look at him with curiosity, in anticipation of new impressions, and he looks at you like another tourist: he does not show much interest and is somewhat aloof. Your brief first acquaintance took place through the windows of the bus of the host party: you managed to see only the shell of the city, a series of streets. For some time you still follow the road, you can easily explain to yourself how to get to the starting point, holding a map of the city in your hands. But suddenly all this whirlwind of stone jungle sweeps before your eyes, and at the next turn all the intersections mix, merge into a tangled tangle of asphalt paths ... and you are left alone with an unfamiliar city ... Thessaloniki they are. You are in a new world for you. Although getting lost and being here again is very simple - it is worth going down to the sea, to the main city landmark - the White Tower. The tower is a symbol of the city, it is depicted wherever Thessaloniki is mentioned. It was built by the Turks in the mid-16th century on the site of the old Byzantine tower. It has had several names throughout its history. Those who are not afraid of physical activity during the rest, can climb the Tower and enjoy the panorama of the city.
Let's keep going. I usually walk along the waterfront, towards one of the central squares, Aristotle Square.

This place was supposed to bear the name of Alexander the Great, but alas... Aristotle can be proud, too. Rub your finger on the philosopher’s left foot. And Alexander himself will meet us on the waterfront, at the Royal Theatre on his horse Bucephalus. After enjoying the views of the sea promenade, the port, the square and drinking a cup of fragrant Greek coffee, we go further, to the noisy and diverse Modiano market.

And what is not there: olives and olive oil, the famous Greek feta cheese, fruits in abundance, vegetables, meat rows, a large fish range, spices, sweets and ... you can list endlessly. Flower shops near the Jewish baths (the baths were Roman, but they were called so, because Jews lived in this part of the city, and once there was the largest and richest Jewish community in Europe), the first and largest mosque of the Alcazar in Greece, built by the Ottomans after the capture of Thessaloniki, the temple of Panagia Halkeon (Mother of the Coppers), the Roman Forum or the Ancient Agora. And then we will meet and amaze with its greatness the temple of Demetrius of Thessaloniki, the patron of the city. Not far from the temple I noticed a small bakery, it is in it that the most delicious, in my opinion, Salonikovsky bagels are sold. They call them the Coulouria Thessalonikis. Try it when you are in Thessaloniki. Further on the route, the Church of Our Lady of No Hands (mid 5th century), the Church of St. Sophia is a bright example of the temple built during the period of iconoclasm, Kamara (Arca Galeria), the remains of the Imperial Palace of Galeria.

And then our way lies to the Upper City, to the remains of the fortress wall, to the place of the first sermons of the Apostle Paul, to the monastery of Vlatadon, which played a special role during the capture of the city by the Ottomans. You will also have a short walk through the old cobbled streets among the old houses, mainly Turkish architecture, which bring a special flavor.

I highly recommend getting to know this wonderful city.