Perhaps not as well-known yet with a historic heritage equivalent to and also probably much more diverse than Athens Thessaloniki is Greece's 2nd largest city. Situated on the Gulf of Thermaikos in the Aegean Sea, the city is a critical trading port for northern Greece and also the Balkans. It is also renowned for the universities as well as universities that attract pupils from around Europe. Thessaloniki has a rich social heritage, going back lots of centuries. There are referrals to Thessaloniki in the New Testimony, one of the most renowned of which are St Paul's letters to the Thessalonians, the oldest documents of Christian literature.
The city was founded in 315 BC by King Cassander of Macedonia, on a website of old monoliths dating back to 2300 BC. It was called after his partner Thessalonica, who was Alexander the Great's sis. Over the years, Thessaloniki has suffered invasions by several societies, consisting of Slavs, Arabs, Saraces, Normans, Catalans, Turks as well as Nazis. It is testimony to the strength of this city that it has actually dominated with each attack, with its ancient Byzantine monoliths undamaged.
I live in a town just outside Thessaloniki. All my life I would certainly check out books and also posts that had actually waxed lyrical about Greece's culture, its attractive weather, the sunshine and the beaches. Since Greece is a prominent holiday destination wintertime is never ever discussed. Only when I relocated below in August 2003 did I find that snow is not uncommon, specifically in Northern Greece. Greece's winter season ranges from November to March, and the temperature level can drop below cold.
Auto parking goes to a costs in Thessaloniki, which flaunts much of the charm of a historical city. Narrow roads with rock sidewalks are a common feature - fantastic to go through yet not extremely easy when driving a big motor auto! Thessalonians park their cars and trucks almost everywhere - on sidewalks, street edges as well as in "no auto parking" areas, since there is simply inadequate car park. Dual and also three-way parallel vehicle parking is an usual view. There are a few metropolitan parking areas, and these are positioned near the places of passion around the city.
The White Tower is the icon of Thessaloniki. It ignores the city's waterside, and also is thought about the city's crucial historical site. It appears like a large rook chess item and also it is grey in colour - not white. The tower was built in the fifteenth century, as well as acted as a jail during the Ottoman Realm's occupation of Greece, from 1430 to 1912. During this moment it was referred to as "The Bloody Tower". When the inmates were performed the bodies were placed on top of the tower, so the blood would diminish the sides as a fearful tip to the Thessalonians of the power of their invaders. After Thessaloniki was freed, the Tower was concealed as a symbolic motion of cleaning. We were told that a Jewish prisoner repainted the tower all by himself to acquire his flexibility, yet were not had the ability to confirm this rather "charming" tale.
Today the White Tower is a museum. We approached the top, using the rock staircase that winds its way up and also around the within the structure. There are three degrees on the journey up, as well as benches positioned near the home windows for unsuited site visitors that need to relax during the climb. The actions are neither high nor slim; there are just rather a lot of them! The view is well worth the climb, paying for a 360 level span over the sea and also the city regarding the eye can see. On a clear day Mount Olympus is easily noticeable.
At the foot of the White Tower tokens as well as memorabilia of the building are marketed, along with postcards as well as keepsakes of Greece. There are also professional photographers that will certainly take a photo of site visitors with The White Tower in the background. Walking is truly the very best method to navigate Thessaloniki, since there's so much to see, as well as most of the archaeological site are within close proximity to every other. There are dozens of drug stores, in addition to shops selling clothes, playthings, stationery and antiques. There are additionally a lot of restaurants as well as sidewalk snack bars. It makes a visit to Thessaloniki town really enjoyable certainly.
There have actually been a variety of earthquakes in the area over the last 2 thousand years, which implies that Thessaloniki has been restored several times, in addition to the damages of the previous city. This is obvious when taking a look at some of the stores, which although easily accessible from the road, lie below street level. Numerous churches have actually stood up to the quakes and stay standing, easily accessible via stairs leading to their entrances from the road. The last earthquake was in 1978.
3 blocks from the tower is the following historical view, a clear image of what the city was like two millennia back. Surrounded by high-rise homes, street level shops and dining establishments, we approached what appeared to be a vacant plot in the centre of the city. As we attracted more detailed we saw brick wall surfaces as well as arcs increasing from the ground. When we reached the fencing around the area we were surprised to tower above a labyrinth of damages. To find this in the middle of modern Thessaloniki was really interesting. Its name is Galerius' Palace, and also it was the home of the Roman Emperor of the same name.
Developed at the start of the fourth century AD for Emperor Galerius - he ruled the location in between 305 and also 311 ADVERTISEMENT, the website is currently secured, and also presently undergoing intensive restoration. Engineers are servicing the website, and visitors can discover the ruins utilizing assigned paths. There is a lot of info concerning the palace on boards set up along the paths. A few of the detailed mosaic floor tiles are still in position, and also we had the ability to identify bathrooms and an extremely innovative drainage system. Galerius' Palace includes the extremely wall surfaces of the house blocks surrounding the site, so it's not tough to envision just how much of the royal residence has actually been covered by contemporary design.
Two blocks from Galerius' Palace is the stunning Arch of Galerius. Built to celebrate the Emperor's victory over the Persians in 297 BC, the stone arch has carvings commemorating the fights. It's a testament to great design that this framework has actually survived 2 thousand years as well as the earthquakes that have damaged Thessaloniki. A details board next to the arch informed us it was a part of 4 entryways situated where the ceremonial road from the royal residence complex fulfilled the city's busiest highway.
Behind the arc we saw a substantial circular rock structure with a significant domed roofing system. This structure, the Rotunda, was once again built for Galerius, and also appears to have actually been his place of worship. It is believed that it ended up being a Christian Church during the reign of Emperor Constantine, some two decades after Galerius' fatality. Although this structure is additionally being recovered, we were able to stroll inside. There are platforms on two levels simply above the ground. The roof is plainly noticeable when entering the structure as well as seeking out. There are recesses easily accessible off the first stage, with elaborate mosaic tiles on the ceilings. Once more, it's astonishing that this colossal structure has actually stayed standing via the centuries and also pressures of nature. It is thought to be the oldest Christian church in Greece, and also one of the earliest worldwide.
Better up Egnatia Road is a green park, full of benches, neat flower beds and also trees. που να πάω σήμερα When we saw a fencing bordering a large area our inquisitiveness was ignited - remembering Galerius Palace we hurried towards it.
Covering over 2 hectares, the Roman Discussion forum is yet an additional reminder of Thessaloniki's abundant history. Situated practically two metres listed below the road degree of modern-day Thessaloniki, the Online forum was build around 297 ADVERTISEMENT. There are rock benches along three sides, ignoring a big open area which evoked illusions of gladiators as well as lions. Two arcades are positioned on opposite sides of the Discussion forum, a couple of metres less than the arena floor. This was a market location, and also it's easy to see where punters would have traded their items. Parts of a massive ceramic vat have actually been recovered, and also this is displayed at the entry to the market. We approximated this possibly held more than five hundred litres of wine - sufficient for an actually major celebration! On the 4th side of the Online forum are the unspoiled damages of what resembles vendors' spaces or conference venues. Unfortunately the remediation underway on this site suggests we have been rejected accessibility to this area of the Forum since 2003. On the same site is a building that housed the Roman Baths. This is well provided with most of the original shower room installations, and is well worth checking out.
North of the Roman Forum is the most essential of the city's 57 churches. Agios Demetrious has been gutted by two fires, the initial in the sixteenth century and the 2nd in 1916. The church we see today was brought back in 1947, as well as several of the initial marble columns that made it through the fires are still standing and also bear pale spots of smoke as statement to the snake pits that ruined the earlier church. It teems with splendid ornaments and stunning paintings of Saint Demetrious. He is the Patron Saint of Thessaloniki, as well as was leader of the Roman pressures inhabiting Thessaloniki. In 303 ADVERTISEMENT the Emperor bought Demetrious to perform all Christians staying in Thessaloniki. Due to the fact that Demetrious was a Christian, he rejected, as well as was martyred. There is a divine display screen of his remains in the church, as well as a crypt beneath the church whereby site visitors can walk. The crypt is the initial church, as well as is fascinating. It consists of a collection of areas containing the initial fount and church. Various other important churches consist of Agios Sofia, Agios Katerina and also the Church of the Holy Apostles. All consist of superb instances of mosaics, wall paints as well as relics of the Byzantine era. I admit it is instead perplexing to see security guards seated inside a number of the churches, and also they were not praying. With a lot of antique artefacts around protection is certainly a priority.
There are a variety of galleries in Thessaloniki that are full of info concerning the history of the whole Macedonian location, in addition to the societies that have belonged of this area. We checked out the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle, which consists of information and also comprehensive display screens of the location's struggles, particularly concentrating on the thirty years before 1912. The Archaeological Gallery has treasures of the Hellenistic period and also Alexander the Great. The display screens are very well presented as well as information boards offer extensive details of each product, its use and also where it was found. The Byzantine Museum consists of many antiques from that age, and includes a number of marble tombs. There are other museums, covering topics such as theater, cinema and also Greek mythology. Thessaloniki has a honored literary background, and today hosts events such as the Thessaloniki International Fair and the Thessaloniki International Film Celebration.
The market is one more interesting area. Centred along a number of roads the vendors ply their items in front of some old, instead shoddy structures. This merely adds to the appeal of the market, and also buyers can purchase a vast array of items from the many sales points. Butcheries, fishmongers, veggie grocers and also apparel stores are plentiful, with vendors venturing outside their shops to entice customers. The prices are actually good, and also customers can pick different types of olives and olive oil in addition to cheese as well as seasonings. Visitors are well provided for here, and also there are a number of stores selling Thessaloniki memorabilia. And also I have actually had several of my finest meals at the pubs in the Thessaloniki Market!
There is much to see and also carry out in Thessaloniki, as well as I understand I have just covered one of the most famous attributes. The food in Greece is among the very best worldwide, and dining out is a really pleasurable experience. There are many restaurants throughout Thessaloniki, supplying an excellent option of typical Greek as well as Mediterranean food. There are likewise a number of International convenience food outlets, such as MacDonald's and Appleby's. The city is actually dynamic during the night, with lots of nightclubs, bars and dining establishments remaining open all night long. There are superb cinemas and theatres, in addition to a planetarium.
Thessaloniki might be a city of contrasts, however through the ages she has preserved her identity, as well as is among one of the most interesting areas I have actually ever checked out. I consider myself privileged to have actually been able to see initial hand a few of one of the most crucial historic areas in Europe, if not the world.