Maybe not as famous but with a historical heritage equal to and also probably extra varied than Athens Thessaloniki is Greece's second largest city. Situated on the Gulf of Thermaikos in the Aegean Sea, the city is a critical trading port for north Greece and also the Balkans. It is likewise renowned for the universities and universities that attract students from throughout Europe. Thessaloniki has an abundant cultural heritage, going back numerous centuries. There are references to Thessaloniki in the New Testimony, the most famous of which are St Paul's letters to the Thessalonians, the earliest documents of Christian literature.
The city was founded in 315 BC by King Cassander of Macedonia, on a website of old monoliths going back to 2300 BC. It was named after his better half Thessalonica, that was Alexander the Great's sister. Over the years, Thessaloniki has actually suffered invasions by lots of cultures, including Slavs, Arabs, Saraces, Normans, Catalans, Turks as well as Nazis. It is testament to the toughness of this city that it has actually dominated through each attack, with its old Oriental monoliths intact.
I stay in a village just outside Thessaloniki. All my life I would certainly check out publications and write-ups that had actually waxed lyrical concerning Greece's society, its attractive weather, the sunlight and the coastlines. Due to the fact that Greece is a popular holiday destination winter is never ever mentioned. Only when I relocated here in August 2003 did I uncover that snow is not uncommon, particularly in North Greece. Greece's winter months runs from November to March, and also the temperature level can drop listed below cold.
Car parking is at a premium in Thessaloniki, which flaunts a lot of the beauty of a historical city. Slim streets with rock pavements are a typical feature - terrific to go through but not extremely easy when driving a huge electric motor vehicle! Thessalonians park their autos all over - on pavements, street edges and in "no car park" zones, because there is just inadequate car parking. Double and also three-way parallel parking is a common view. There are a few metropolitan parking areas, and also these are positioned near to the locations of passion around the city.
The White Tower is the icon of Thessaloniki. It neglects the city's waterfront, and is taken into consideration the city's most important historical site. It appears like a huge rook chess item and it is grey in colour - not white. The tower was constructed in the fifteenth century, and also worked as a prison during the Ottoman Empire's line of work of Greece, from 1430 to 1912. During this time it was known as "The Bloody Tower". When the prisoners were executed the bodies were positioned on top of the tower, so the blood would certainly diminish the sides as a fearsome reminder to the Thessalonians of the power of their intruders. After Thessaloniki was liberated, the Tower was concealed as a symbolic gesture of cleansing. We were informed that a Jewish prisoner repainted the tower all by himself to get his flexibility, yet were not been able to substantiate this rather "enchanting" story.
Today the White Tower is a gallery. We approached the top, utilizing the rock staircase that winds its means up and also around the within the framework. There are 3 degrees on the trip up, as well as benches situated near the windows for unsuited site visitors that need to rest throughout the climb. The steps are neither high nor slim; there are just instead a lot of them! The view is well worth the climb, affording a 360 level distance over the sea as well as the city as for the eye can see. On a clear day Mount Olympus is conveniently noticeable.
At the foot of the White Tower mementos and memorabilia of the structure are marketed, in addition to postcards and also mementos of Greece. There are likewise digital photographers who will certainly take a photo of visitors with The White Tower in the background. Strolling is actually the most effective means to navigate Thessaloniki, due to the fact that there's so much to see, and also a lot of the archaeological site are within close proximity to every other. There are loads of pharmacies, as well as shops selling clothes, toys, stationery as well as antiques. There are likewise lots of restaurants as well as pavement snack bars. It makes a browse through to Thessaloniki community really positive certainly.
There have actually been a variety of quakes in the location over the last 2 thousand years, which means that Thessaloniki has actually been restored a number of times, on top of the damages of the previous city. This is obvious when looking at a few of the shops, which although available from the road, lie listed below street degree. Several churches have endured the earthquakes and also remain standing, easily accessible through stairs leading down to their entries from the street. The last earthquake was in 1978.
Three blocks from the tower is the next historical view, a clear illustration of what the city was like two millennia ago. Bordered by skyscraper apartments, street degree shops and also dining establishments, we approached what appeared to be an uninhabited plot in the centre of the city. As we drew better we saw brick wall surfaces and also arcs rising from the ground. When we reached the fence around the area we were astonished to look down upon a maze of damages. To find this in the middle of modern Thessaloniki was really interesting. Its name is Galerius' Royal residence, and also it was the residence of the Roman Emperor of the exact same name.
Constructed at the start of the 4th century AD for Emperor Galerius - he ruled the location in between 305 and 311 AD, the website is currently shielded, as well as presently undertaking intensive restoration. Designers are dealing with the website, as well as site visitors can check out the ruins utilizing designated courses. There is a lot of information concerning the royal residence on boards put up along the paths. Several of the elaborate mosaic floor tiles are still in position, as well as we had the ability to identify bathrooms and a really innovative drain system. Galerius' Royal residence encompasses the extremely wall surfaces of the apartment blocks surrounding the site, so it's not difficult to picture how much of the palace has actually been covered by modern design.
2 blocks from Galerius' Palace is the amazing Arch of Galerius. Built to celebrate the Emperor's triumph over the Persians in 297 BC, the stone arch consists of makings commemorating the fights. It's a testament to excellent design that this framework has actually made it through two thousand years and the quakes that have ruined Thessaloniki. A details board beside the arc told us it was a part of 4 entrances positioned where the ceremonial road from the palace facility satisfied the city's busiest road.
Behind the arc we saw a huge round rock framework with a huge domed roofing system. This structure, the Rotunda, was again constructed for Galerius, and also shows up to have actually been his place of worship. It is thought that it became a Christian Church during the reign of Emperor Constantine, some 20 years after Galerius' fatality. Although this structure is likewise being restored, we had the ability to walk within. There are platforms on 2 degrees simply above the ground. The roof is plainly visible when getting in the building and looking up. There are recesses obtainable off the very beginning, with elaborate mosaic tiles on the ceilings. Again, it's astonishing that this gigantic structure has continued to be standing with the centuries and also pressures of nature. It is believed to be the oldest Christian church in Greece, as well as among the oldest worldwide.
Further up Egnatia Road is a green park, loaded with benches, neat blossom beds and also trees. When we saw a fencing bordering a large area our interest was ignited - bearing in mind Galerius Palace we hurried towards it.
Covering over two hectares, the Roman Forum is yet another reminder of Thessaloniki's abundant history. Located nearly 2 metres listed below the road degree of modern Thessaloniki, the Online forum was construct around 297 AD. There are stone benches along 3 sides, ignoring a large open area μουσική live θεσσαλονίκη which brought to mind impressions of gladiators and lions. Two arcades are situated on opposite sides of the Online forum, a few metres less than the sector floor. This was a market place, and it's very easy to see where punters would certainly have traded their items. Parts of a substantial ceramic vat have actually been restored, and this is presented at the entrance to the marketplace. We approximated this possibly held greater than 5 hundred litres of white wine - sufficient for a really major event! On the 4th side of the Forum are the unspoiled damages of what looks like merchants' rooms or conference venues. Sadly the remediation underway on this site implies we have actually been refuted access to this section of the Discussion forum given that 2003. On the exact same site is a building that housed the Roman Baths. This is well presented with a lot of the initial shower room installations, as well as is well worth visiting.
North of the Roman Discussion forum is one of the most vital of the city's 57 churches. Agios Demetrious has been gutted by two fires, the very first in the sixteenth century and also the 2nd in 1916. The church we see today was restored in 1947, as well as a few of the original marble columns that endured the fires are still standing and also bear faint spots of smoke as testament to the infernos that ruined the earlier church. It is full of exquisite accessories as well as gorgeous paints of Saint Demetrious. He is the Tutelary Saint of Thessaloniki, as well as was leader of the Roman forces occupying Thessaloniki. In 303 AD the Emperor got Demetrious to execute all Christians residing in Thessaloniki. Because Demetrious was a Christian, he refused, and also was martyred. There is a holy display screen of his remains in the church, as well as a crypt below the church where site visitors can stroll. The crypt is the original church, as well as is fascinating. It includes a series of areas containing the initial fount as well as church. Various other vital churches consist of Agios Sofia, Agios Katerina and also the Church of the Holy Apostles. All have exceptional examples of mosaics, wall paints and relics of the Byzantine age. I confess it is rather disconcerting to see security guards seated inside a number of the churches, as well as they were not praying. With so many antique artefacts around safety and security is obviously a top priority.
There are a variety of museums in Thessaloniki that have plenty of information about the background of the entire Macedonian area, as well as the cultures that have actually been a part of this region. We saw the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle, which contains details and in-depth screens of the area's struggles, especially concentrating on the 30 years prior to 1912. The Archaeological Museum includes prizes of the Hellenistic age and also Alexander the Great. The display screens are quite possibly shown and information boards give comprehensive details of each item, its usage and where it was uncovered. The Byzantine Gallery contains lots of relics from that era, and includes a variety of marble tombs. There are other museums, covering subjects such as theater, cinema and also Greek mythology. Thessaloniki has a honored literary background, as well as today hosts events such as the Thessaloniki International Fair as well as the Thessaloniki International Movie Festival.
The marketplace is another amazing place. Centred along several streets the vendors ply their merchandises in front of some old, rather shoddy structures. This just adds to the charm of the marketplace, as well as consumers can purchase a large range of goods from the several sales points. Butcheries, fishmongers, veggie grocers and clothes shops abound, with vendors venturing outside their stores to lure shoppers. The prices are actually good, and patrons can select different sorts of olives and olive oil in addition to cheese as well as seasonings. Travelers are well catered for here, as well as there are a variety of stores marketing Thessaloniki souvenirs. And I have actually had a few of my best dishes at the taverns in the Thessaloniki Market!
There is much to see and also do in Thessaloniki, and I know I have actually only covered the most famous functions. The cuisine in Greece is amongst the best worldwide, and dining out is a truly pleasurable experience. There are lots of dining establishments around Thessaloniki, providing a good selection of typical Greek as well as Mediterranean food. There are also a variety of International convenience food electrical outlets, such as MacDonald's as well as Appleby's. The city is really lively in the evening, with lots of nightclubs, bars and dining establishments remaining open all evening long. There are superb cinemas and also theatres, along with a planetarium.
Thessaloniki may be a city of contrasts, however via the ages she has maintained her identification, and is just one of one of the most fascinating areas I have actually ever before gone to. I consider myself lucky to have actually been able to see very first hand several of the most vital historical locations in Europe, otherwise the world.