What architectural landmark has become a symbol of the city of Thessaloniki. Useful information about the city of Thessaloniki. Some conclusions at last

Thessaloniki (or, if you follow the full Greek name - Thessaloniki) have an ancient history, the beginning of which dates back to 2315 BC. It was then that this city was founded by Tsar Kassandro - and was named after his wife, who was the sister of Alexander the Great.

The extremely favorable location of Thessaloniki on the Greek coast of the warm Gulf of Thermaikos for centuries has made it a tasty prey for numerous conquerors - Romans, Saracens, Normans, Turks. Only in the 20th century Thessaloniki finally and irrevocably became Greek again.

Antique buildings, Byzantine, Orthodox churches, Ottoman fortifications, numerous museums, monuments and just the lively breath of a thousand-year history merge here with the intense life of a large seaport - the trading and industrial center of Greece with more than a million people.

Embankment: Aegean Promenade

White Tower: Lightened Symbol

  Cylindrical structure in height 27 meters, with powerful masonry and a small turret on a round upper platform, has a venerable age of five hundred years.

This fortification was built by the Ottoman Turks. The tower was consistently used as a defensive fortification, then as a barracks to house the Turkish garrison, and then as a prison in which mass executions of Greek patriots were carried out.

After the First Balkan War, in 1912, the tower was symbolically whitewashed - as if cleared of the gloomy memory of the times of conquest - and has been called Bela ever since, although its present color is simply yellowish, light and warm.

Not far from the landmark tower is the archaeological museum with a rich collection of antique exhibits.

Read also: Greece, Halkidiki - resorts, map, attractions and features of rest

Archaeological Museum: Golden Abundance of Antiquity

  The collection of historical values \u200b\u200bof Thessaloniki Museum substantively illustrates the life of Macedonian settlements from archaic times to the late Roman period.

Magnificent examples of classical antique sculpture, mosaics, and weapons are exhibited here.

A separate room contains exclusively gold decor and jewelry found during excavations of a magnificent royal burial - including medals, tiaras, masks, among which the spectacular head of the Gorgon Medusa flaunts.

War Museum: Blood Paid Freedom

  Located on the Thessaloniki Field of Mars, this museum keeps the memory of the struggle waged by the Greek patriots, defending the independence of their country from the beginning of the twentieth century until the end of World War II.

Exposition halls contain extensive collections of guns and ship models, uniforms, awards, and works of art.

In front of the museum building exhibited samples of aircraft, armored vehicles and naval weapons.

Museum of Byzantine Culture: where Orthodoxy began

  Opposite the Field of Mars, near the War Museum, there is an impressive collection of artifacts dating back to the beginning of the Christian era.

The examples of architecture, mosaics, frescoes, jewelry, vessels, and icons displayed here visually embody the unique features of the Byzantine branch of Christianity, which later became the “Greek, Orthodox faith.”

The canonized enlightenment of the Slavs, Cyril and Methodius, is widely represented in this museum. Both creators of Slavic writing are natives of Thessaloniki, one of the many temples of this city is dedicated to them.

Church of Saints Equal to the Apostles Cyril and Methodius

  Not far from the White Tower is a golden-domed temple, built on the model of a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture - the Church of the Virgin Mary of Fara in Constantinople.

In the treasury of the temple of the Equal-to-the-Apostles brothers there is a particle of the relics of St. Cyril, and in front of the entrance to the temple there is a sculptural image of both great enlighteners, brought from St. Petersburg.

Here is a monument, the symbolism of which is deeply thought out and lovingly executed: a high open book with mosaic portraits of monk brothers crowned with sunny-gold Byzantine circles of halo.

In the center of the book is an arched opening through which a light of knowledge has gone to the northern lands.

Wisdom and asceticism are repeatedly marked on the map of Christian shrines of this city.

Hagia Sophia: UNESCO World Heritage Site

  From the White Tower along Pava Mela Street you can go directly to this ancient Christian church, the first written mention of which dates back to the 8th century.

During the Ottoman rule, Thessaloniki Sofia was converted to a mosque. Fortunately, the interior decor was not damaged: frescoes and mosaics were covered with plaster.

After the return of the temple to Christians, the restored pictorial decoration appeared in pristine splendor: mosaic vault of old gold color with the image of the Virgin Hodegetria, multi-figured dome mosaic "Ascension of Christ", frescoes with images of saints, beautiful ornaments.

Greece, Thessaloniki and one day at the disposal to see the main attractions. It’s not an easy task if you go to get acquainted with the city, guided by the principle of “curve will lead”: a lot can be overlooked, being literally a stone's throw from the most interesting sights. It’s better to plan everything in advance: literally by the hour or at least by the time of the day: first choose what to see in the morning, then in the afternoon, and so on.

Grekoblog decided to offer its version of a walk around the city, during which we not only visit the most interesting architectural sites and museums, but also spend a couple of hours in local cafes. You can travel around the city under time pressure by taxi, which is cheap in Thessaloniki, or by bus - there are a lot of routes, and their work schedule is quite tight. More on Grekoblog transport already. Today you will learn what to see in Thessaloniki in 1 day.

It is best to watch the sunset over Thermaikos Bay sitting at a table in one of the many restaurants or cafes

If you yourself are not interested in walking around Thessaloniki, then you can see this city in the company of a guide who will show all the most interesting. A detailed review and contacts of the Russian guide in Thessaloniki Maribel - can be found.

Some of the classic ones start from the White Tower, located on the famous pedestrian promenade (also known as Victory Avenue or Leforos Nikis), and some from Aristotle Square. But in order not to get lost in the crowds of tourists and to avoid queues, it makes sense to get up early and begin to walk all the same from the White Tower. We will return to Aristotle Square.

The White Tower in Thessaloniki is open daily: it opens at 8.30 and works until 15.00, but more than 70 people do not start at once. Ticket price - 4 € (2016). The tower was erected as a fort by the Turks immediately after the conquest of Thessaloniki, in 1430. Over time, the need for a powerful defensive structure disappeared. At first, a barracks was built in its strong walls, and then a prison, which was notoriously bad, which is why the tower was called "bloody" in the 19th century. Today in its premises operates a Byzantine multimedia museum. You can appreciate the beauty of Thermaikos Bay, as well as the upcoming day route, from the observation deck of the tower. Height - 35 m.

The White Tower was erected by the Turks as a fort, immediately after the conquest of Thessaloniki in 1430.

The archaeological museum is a stone's throw from the tower: it opens at 9.00 and is open until 16.00. The museum belongs to the obligatory list of what you need to see in Thessaloniki even within 1 day. Ticket price - 6 € (2016). Unfortunately, the famous golden larnax (raku) with the ashes of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, the former pride of the museum, was returned to the royal tomb in Vergina, but the exhibition is still impressive. Interactive multimedia applications of the permanent exhibition "The Macedonian Kingdom" will allow you to "participate" in the life of ancient policies to the sound of restored ancient tunes of the III century. BC. The permanent exhibition "Gold of Macedonia" is also open.

Simultaneously with the archaeological museum, you can see the exposition of the Byzantine culture museum located here. Opening hours are the same, but at the same time visiting 2 museums you can save a lot. A single ticket costs only 8 € (2016).

The Arc de Triomphe was erected in honor of the victory of the emperor Galerius over the Persian army (III c.)

Day in Thessaloniki

From the fact that you need to look - Byzantine churches: it is not for nothing that Thessaloniki is sometimes called that - “the city of 100 Byzantine churches”. But first, it’s worth a little refreshment, especially since Thessaloniki is famous for its delicious and inexpensive cuisine. It’s easy: just go back to the embankment, where there are plenty of establishments for every taste. But you can do even better and go to the revolving cafe on the OTE television tower, which is very close by. The cost there is higher than in most institutions on the embankment, but the panorama of the city, the Thermaikos Bay more than compensates for this drawback. Keep in mind that the format of the institution in the OTE tower is nevertheless closer to the cafe than the restaurant, so you can’t count on a hearty lunch here: except for coffee with a snack.

Hotel Electra Palace 5 * on Aristotle Square

So, again, the time has come for spiritual food: we are going towards the main temple of Thessaloniki - the Cathedral of St. Demetrius of Solunsky, the patron saint of the city. It can be reached from the White Tower by taxi (from 5 €). The cathedral was built in the IV century. Since then, it has been repeatedly rebuilt and restored. The most significant restoration work was organized in the last century, after in 1917 the basilica burned out almost to the ground. But there is a blessing in disguise: during the work, the entrance to the crypt of the cathedral was discovered, and under the altar, a vessel was found in which, according to believers, the blood of Demetrius is stored. The main value of the temple in Thessaloniki for tourists is the carefully restored ancient frescoes. The Cathedral is operational, and before visiting it, you should make sure that your view will not confuse even the most ardent parishioners.

Within walking distance of the temple is the Arc de Triomphe of Emperor Galerius and the Rotunda of St. George (the former tomb of Galerius). Both monuments date back to the 3rd century. In the Rotunda, it is worth examining the frescoes of the 4th-6th centuries, and near the arch - to conduct a small photo shoot. Not far from the Rotunda is the current church of Hagia Sophia of the 7th-8th centuries. with wonderful mosaic frescoes “Our Lady of Hodegetria” and “Ascension”. The temple is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Basilica of St. Demetrius was built on the site of the death of the great martyr Demetrius of Solunsky, the patron saint of Thessaloniki

Another option is also possible: to leave the Cathedral of St. Demetrius and head in the opposite direction, to the ruins of an ancient agora. Of particular interest here is the restored amphitheater. Admission is free, working hours are every day, from 8.30 to 15.00.

If there is an agora in the city, intuition tells us that somewhere there should be an acropolis. As usual, it is located in the upper part of the city (Ano Poli), but instead of the ruins of ancient Greek temples you will find strong battlements of the 4th century (4 km of 8 km restored), erected on the orders of Emperor Theodosius. From these walls one more view of Thessaloniki opens, from a different angle. You can get to Ano Poli by bus number 23 or tourist bus number 50. If time allows, you can just walk along the cozy streets of Ano Poli, if you want to continue an active acquaintance with the city, you should return to the lower part of Thessaloniki.

Ano-Poli (Upper City) is the largest fragment of the Ottoman Thessaloniki that has survived to date.

Evening

The goal is Aristotle Square, located near the city promenade. Two buildings with a semicircular facade are the Electra Palace 5 * hotel and the Olympion cinema, where the main screenings and ceremonies of the International Film Festival are held. A large sloping flowerbed is a floral clock, and the awkward sitting sculpture of a grandfather in a tunic is a monument to Aristotle. There is a sign: if you rub the big toe of his left foot, you will become smarter. This ritual was introduced, of course, by negligent students of the University of Aristotle, who were not too lazy to go through the entire center of the city to the monument for the sake of a good mark in exams. Whatever it was, but the finger of the mentor Alexander of Macedon today is rubbed to a shine.

Aristotle Square hosts all the most significant political and cultural events

After such an intense ritual, it is not a sin to have a bite. This time, one of the many cafes on the seafront of Thessaloniki is the most suitable option. And the point here is not only the cost of the dishes. Just about the sun will go down over the horizon, and it is best to watch the sunset over Thermaikos Gulf, sitting at a table with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine in hand. If the sun is still high, you can, after drinking coffee with fresh pastries, go on a short boat trip and watch the sunset from the side of a pleasure boat.

Today we will get acquainted with the largest Greek port city of Thessaloniki and find out what you can see in this city and which hotels are best to stay.

Thessaloniki - The second largest Greek port city on the Aegean. The city is located near the famous Greek trident - Halkidiki. Regular flights from Moscow fly. In the summer, charter flights from many Russian cities join them. The cost of a ticket for a direct flight Moscow - Thessaloniki is from 145 Euros in two directions. Thessaloniki is a port city with no beach. Do not forget about it when you plan your vacation.

Thessaloniki is a rapidly developing cosmopolitan city. It has a developed bus network, and in 2017 it is planned to launch the subway. The combination of ancient monuments with modern buildings gives a special charm to the city. Thessaloniki will be best walked because literally at every step there are ancient ruins and buildings that deserve attention.

Thessaloniki landmarks

One of the most famous sights of Thessaloniki are churches, temples and monasteries scattered throughout the city and preserved from the time of the Byzantine Empire. The city has long been under the Turkish yoke, so Turkish influence can be traced in architecture. In some places I felt like in Turkey: the monuments and skyscrapers of Thessaloniki are so similar to Turkish.

For a long time, Thessaloniki was a recognized center of Christianity. From here came St. Cyril and Methodius, who contributed to the spread of Christianity and created the Old Slavonic language.

Thessaloniki's most popular attractions are Basilica of St. Demetrius, Church of St. Sophia  and Rotunda of St. George. All of them are under the protection of UNESCO.

Deserves special attention Roman forum  and a business card of the city - White Tower  on the promenade of Thessaloniki. Museum lovers will also have a place to turn around, because Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki  considered one of the best in Europe. Visits also deserve Museum of Byzantine Culture  to Thessaloniki and the Jewish Museum. The city is rightfully considered the cultural capital of Greece, so if you are relaxing in one of the nearby Greek resorts, then visiting Thessaloniki is a must.

Closer to the seafront in Thessaloniki is the famous aristotle Square  from monument to Aristotle. There is a sign that if you rub the big toe of his left foot, you will inevitably grow wiser. Aristotle was born in these parts: in the region of Halkidiki.

The location of Thessaloniki attractions on the map can be seen below.

Where to stay in Thessaloniki?

Tourists visit Thessaloniki most often by travel or upon arrival at the Macedonia International Airport. Therefore, it will be most convenient to settle in the very center of the city with a view of the sea or the shopping streets. As in any major city, here you can find a hotel for any budget. There are no hotels with an all-inclusive power system in Thessaloniki. I can recommend you the following hotels located in different parts of the city:

• Three star hotel Mandrino Hotel, hotel address:  Thessaloniki, 2, Adigonidon Str.-29, Egnatia Str. This budget hotel is located in the heart of Thessaloniki close to major attractions. It is very conveniently located for walking around the city and shopping in Thessaloniki. Not far from the hotel is the promenade. The cost of a double room for two per day with breakfast: from 41 Euro.
• Five star hotel Grand Hotel Palace, hotel address:  Thessaloniki, Monastiriou 305-307. A chic hotel located 2.5 km from the city center. Near the hotel there is a supermarket. The hotel often hosts business meetings, however it is also suitable for families. For families with children, the hotel provides spacious family rooms. The cost of a double room for two per day with breakfast: from 100 Euro.
• 5 star hotel Electra Palace Thessaloniki, hotel address:  Thessaloniki, 9 Aristotelous square. A luxury hotel located on Aristotle Square in the heart of Thessaloniki by the sea. Its rooms offer breathtaking panoramic views of the sea and Thessaloniki promenade. The hotel has a rooftop pool. Breakfast is served in the rooftop restaurant, which offers the best view of Aristotle's square in the city. But for the convenience you have to pay well: the cost of a double room for two per day with breakfast: from 129 Euro.
• 4 star hotel Royal Hotel Thessaloniki, hotel address:  17th klm Thessalonikis - Peraias. This hotel, located 3 km from Thessaloniki International Airport, is suitable for you if you arrive at a business meeting or you need to spend the night in Thessaloniki one night and then fly on. The hotel provides a free airport pick-up service. The hotel has a restaurant, an indoor pool, and 9 km from it is the famous Mediterranean Cosmos shopping center, where you can go shopping. The cost of a double room for two per day with breakfast: from 59 Euro.

If you want to feel local in Thessaloniki, I recommend renting an entire apartment from local residents on the Airbnb service. You will receive a 23 Euro discount on your first reservation and you can reserve your apartment on the seafront in Thessaloniki at a price of 25 to 50 Euro per night! I like to book apartments with locals, because this is how one can better get acquainted with the country and its inhabitants, learn first-hand about the most interesting corners of the city. In the apartments you can save on food and prepare your own lunch and dinner. I already talked about how to rent an apartment on the Airbnb website in an article.

Where to eat in Thessaloniki?

There are many cafes scattered around the city where you can drink coffee or fresh orange, but there are quite a few restaurants where you can eat in the traditional sense of the word. Most restaurants are concentrated in the vicinity of Aristotle Square. Dishes in these restaurants are not cheap: 10-12 Euro per serving of the second dish.

To help budget tourists come numerous kebabs scattered in the center. Kebab in Greek is called "gyros" (gyros). A kebab with potatoes and tzatziki sauce costs about 3.5 Euro per serving. You can take Greek kebab Mythos beer, which, incidentally, is produced in Thessaloniki, at a price of 2-3 Euros per bottle (this is the price in kebab, in the store beer will cost you less).

Where to go on an excursion from Thessaloniki?

If you are an independent tourist who does not want to stop exploring Thessaloniki and go further, I can advise you on the following places in Greece, where it will be convenient to go from Thessaloniki:

• Monasteries of Meteora.  Meteora rocks are the recognized eighth miracle of Greece. Monasteries are on separate rocks and seem to soar in the air. Visiting the monastery cells is possible only as part of an organized group.
• The peninsulas of Sithonia and Kassandra and their beaches.There is no private beach in Thessaloniki, so I advise you to visit the peninsula of the famous “trident” region of Halkidiki, the beaches on which are awarded the blue flag.
• Monasteries of Athos. Athos is the third “finger” of the trident of Halkidiki, on which 20 Orthodox monasteries are located. Athos is the largest center of Orthodoxy. Athos and the monastery are closed to visitors, so during the tour you will be taken on a boat along the coast of the peninsula and will show you some monasteries from the water.
• Olympus.The most famous mountain of Greece has long been known to many of the myths of ancient Greece. According to legend, the Greek gods lived on this mountain. At an altitude of 950 meters there is an observation platform from where amazing views of the surroundings open.
• Athens.Tourists are sent to the capital of Greece in order to see firsthand the Acropolis and the ancient Agora. I would advise visiting Athens only if you are a lover of antiquities and excavations. Otherwise, a distance of 500 km from Thessaloniki to Athens will greatly exhaust you.
• A trip for a fur coat to Kastoria or. As many people know, Greece is world famous for its fur coats, and Kastoria and Nea Kallikratia are famous for their shops and factories for the production of fur products.
• A trip to the capitals of neighboring countries: Sofia (291 km), Skopje (243 km). If you fly to Greece for a vacation, then you already have a Schengen visa and you can visit Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, or Skopje, the capital of Macedonia.

Public transport in Greece is extremely poorly developed, so I recommend you rent a car for long-distance trips. The only thing you need to do is be an experienced driver, as Greece has a lot of winding mountain roads. I advise you to rent a car through the Rentalcars website, where prices and conditions of all the renters are compared.

Some conclusions at last

The city of Thessaloniki made a double impression on me: on the one hand, beautiful buildings and well-preserved architecture, on the other - a lot of homeless people and beggars. They say that in Greece, more homeless people are only in Athens. We had a chance to visit the Thessaloniki bus station at night, and I want to say that we felt extremely uncomfortable precisely because of strange, strange people. In central Europe, there is no such feeling during a walk in the evening.

Do not even poke your car here: there will simply be nowhere to park it, and the streets are very narrow and not designed for parking by an inexperienced driver. Perhaps that is why motorcycles are so common here. You should only take a car if you plan to visit places in Greece, remote from Thessaloniki.

Looking for an interesting vacation spot? Want to combine a beach holiday with memorable excursions? Then pay attention to the cradle of Greek culture, the city-museum of Thessaloniki. It is not for nothing that this settlement was recognized as the second most important and tourist attraction after Athens. Yes, and he is inferior to the capital unless in size and population. Today we will talk about the most striking sights of Thessaloniki, try to take a short walk through the historical and cultural places that still remember the discoveries of the brilliant Greeks, the bloody battles with the Roman legions and the devastating raids of the Ottoman warriors.

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One of the most famous and bright sights of the Greek city is the White Tower. The building is located in the embankment area and has a second name - the Bloody Tower, to which it owes due to the execution of several hundred people. The Turks were created as part of the defensive wall for the city, later criminals were kept in its dungeons awaiting a court verdict.

Today, the tower is not only a bright attraction, but also has the status of a museum. Visitors are invited to not only look into its most secret corners, take a walk along the corridors and stairs, but also enjoy the aromatic dishes of Greek cuisine, which are served in the local cafe, under which they gave an observation deck. As for the collection located here, almost all exhibits belong to the Byzantine era. At the moment, visiting the tower is absolutely free. To get to the sights from anywhere in the city, it is enough to give the taxi driver the address End Nikis Av, GR 54621. Visitors are expected here daily from 8:30 to 15 hours.

One of the most popular places not only for visiting by tourists, but also for meetings of local residents, is Aristotle Square. The attraction was created by the architect E. Ebrara in 1917 due to the need to restore the city after a catastrophic fire. Today, there are numerous cafes and restaurants in the square, where city guests love to spend time.

In addition, connoisseurs and simply connoisseurs of vibrant architecture will be able to enjoy brilliant works of art from various historical periods and architectural directions. In particular, almost every square meter is decorated with carved balconies, arches and other decorative elements. Of particular interest is the flowerbed that can cause, made in the form of watches that show real time. And, of course, the square is decorated with a huge statue of Aristotle. Numerous tourists hurry not only to take pictures with the ancient philosopher, but also to hold on to his left toe. According to local legend, this simple action will certainly allow you to grow wiser. Not surprisingly, the finger is honed to shine ... There is a square at Platia Aristotelous 2-8 Thessaloniki. As you may have guessed, admission is free around the clock.

Moving on, the next attraction, which we strongly recommend including in your itinerary, is the Cathedral in honor of St. Dmitry, who is the patron saint of Thessaloniki. If you believe the story, Dmitry Solunsky was an ancient ruler of the city and in the first century died a martyr’s death, defending his Christian views. Four centuries later, a temple was erected in his honor, in which the remains of the patron saint are still preserved today. In addition, the things of another believing holy martyr, Anisia of Solun, are also stored here.

It is worth noting that tourists will not be able to see the temple in its original form, because in 1917 the basilica was almost completely destroyed by fire. Restoration work continued from 1926 to 1948, as a result of which the masters managed to completely restore the frescoes and graffiti, and some of the supports and interior elements of the decor remained virtually unharmed and needed only a surface restoration. Since then, the temple is again used for its intended purpose, worship is regularly held in it, and at the end of the last century, the object was included in the UNESCO heritage list. Entrance to the temple is free for tourists and believers. Visitors are welcome at Agiou Nikolaou 2-10 daily from 8 to 20 hours. You can take part in the service.

As you may have guessed, in Soloniki there are many attractions dedicated to historical and cultural figures, saints and commanders, discoverers and philosophers. Another such object is the Arc de Triomphe of the commander Galeria, which was erected in honor of one of the most striking victories over the army of the Sassadinsky kingdom. In addition to the arch itself, a tomb was erected for the great commander, in which Galerius found his last refuge. Depending on who came to power in Thessaloniki, the purpose of the architectural complex and its individual structures changed. At first, part of the buildings was reserved for the church, and after the arrival of Turkish conquerors in these lands, the church was turned into a Muslim mosque. Accordingly, for their needs, the Turks created annexes - the apse and narthex from the southeastern and western parts, respectively, as well as the minaret, which is the only one that has survived to our time.

Partially destroyed arch is decorated with carved rock frescoes, which tell in detail about the victorious campaign of the ruler Galerius, sacrifice, acceptance of gifts, mercy of the great ruler, etc. The monument looks impressive and will take its rightful place in the collection of visited places of any tourist. Attractions are absolutely free from 9 to 19 hours.

Another attraction of Thessaloniki, which is located on the embankment of the city, is dedicated to the famous Greek - Alexander the Great. You can find the monument near the White Tower. It should be noted that local residents have a special, reverent attitude towards this historical figure. Indeed, it was during the reign of A.Makedonsky, his conquests and the brilliant victories of Thessaloniki that were at the peak of their development.

The monument is a six-meter composition in the form of a commander sitting on his famous horse Bucephalus. Behind him, one can observe several shields and mines with various images, each of which carries a certain semantic load. So, the image of a snake means wisdom, Medusa is the personification of deceit, the lion is courage, and the falcon, respectively, is the gift of foresight. The Greeks are convinced that all these virtues and gifts were possessed by this one of the most striking historical figures.

It is not difficult to find the monument; access to it is free around the clock.

But every tourist should visit the local museum of archaeological and historical finds of different historical periods. The first finds from different parts of Macedonia began to flock to the halls of the museum back in 1977. Soon the exposition was so voluminous that its urgent expansion was required.

Museum guests will be able to get acquainted with the rich history of Thessaloniki, as well as other regions of Macedonia, see historical artifacts that are of great value and importance for archeology. In a separate collection, finds that are dated to the period of Roman rule are highlighted. Also in the separate halls, visitors can see the most significant and unusual finds from the archaic cemetery of Sindos, artifacts of the royal burials, funerary attributes and other results of archaeological excavations and research. In total there are 11 thematic rooms. Among the most famous artifacts: a statue of Harpocrates dated to the second century BC, larnax made of pure gold (it is assumed that it is intended to store the ashes of King Philip II), gold masks and bronze helmets, medals, shields, tiaras and other jewelry.

Tourists are expected here daily from 8 to 22 hours, Monday is a day off. Also, the museum does not work on holidays. We advise you to specify the schedule on the official website, since the summer and winter schedules are different. Ticket price 2-4 euros, depending on the category of visitor.

There is another interesting museum in Thessaloniki that contains many objects of military history of Macedonia. He first opened his doors to the general public in 2000, although the construction of the building dates from the beginning of the 20th century. The museum exposition highlights various aspects of the military history of Thessaloniki and Greece as a whole. In the halls there is an impressive collection of mock-ups of warships, clothing samples of various branches of the army, distinctive paraphernalia and even some exhibits of weapons from neighboring countries. The objects of the times of the First and Second World Wars, separate military operations, and also are devoted to the periods of the Turkish, German and Bulgarian occupations of Greece are allocated in separate expositions. An impressive library of historical and military publications is also presented here. Well, next to the building, right in the open air there is a collection of military aircraft and armored vehicles.

The museum operates from Tuesday to Friday from 9 to 14 hours, on Saturday and Sunday - from 10 to 14 hours. Monday is a day off. Entrance fee - 6 euros, for children and some other categories of visitors a discount is provided.

Another museum has such an original name. The exposition has been operating since 1981 and includes a whole collection of objects that tell both the long and recent history of the struggle of the Greeks for their independence. In addition to samples of weapons, armor, clothes and other personal belongings of the Greeks, the museum presents rare and unique documents that date from the period from 1770 to 1912. You can find here rare books, and things of famous Greeks, and family jewels. The collection also includes other exhibits no less interesting for acquaintance: national wrestling suits of the Greeks, photographs and even newspapers.

By the way, every day in the halls of the museum only some artifacts are stored, and most of the collection is exhibited only occasionally. Today, the museum receives visitors from Tuesday to Friday from 9 to 14 hours, Monday is a day off. On Saturday, you can also visit the exhibition halls, which open an hour later than usual. You can get to the building by bus: 39, 3, 5, 6, 12, 33 or by taxi, giving the address Prox. Koromila str / 23, 54622.

We strongly recommend to include in your excursion program another striking attraction of Thessaloniki - the Cross Church of Panagia Chalkeon. The temple for its historical and cultural value was included in the list of World Heritage Sites in 1988 and today is very popular among tourists. According to the inscription on the doors of the temple, its creator was Christopher, who created it for the salvation of his soul and the souls of his loved ones for numerous sins. The creator himself was buried at the north wall of the building. After the conquest of Greece by the Turks, the church was also turned into a mosque, which owes its unusual name.

Many friends flying to Greece often ask me: “What to see?”. I answer: "Thessaloniki!". "Ah no, we are not interested in churches ...". Every time you have to argue and show pictures. In general, I decided to write a short article for my beloved MalpaTravel.comabout this theme.

1. To find out everything about Ancient Greece, more precisely about Ancient Macedonia

Incidentally, Thessaloniki was the capital of the Macedonian kingdom. And the fortress walls erected in the IV century BC for protection, together with the Acropolis located in the Upper City, the views of lovers of ancient architecture are still catching. For more curious tourists in Thessaloniki there are countless local history museums with artifacts that are about 7000 years old.

2. To find the difference between the architecture of the Roman and Byzantine Empires

Alas, all these defenses did not protect the Hellenes from being captured by the Romans. But together with the army, laws and regulations, they made a new contribution to the development of Thessaloniki. Most of the architectural monuments that are now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List relate to this period.

Arc de Triomphe Gallery, III century.

By the way, recently, archaeologists are closely engaged in one important find - the Roman Forum. In another way it is called the Greek agora. A little less than 2000 years ago, life was in full swing here: trade was conducted, important social issues were resolved, and there was also a theater.

For the Byzantines, Thessaloniki was very important. After all, the city was a Christian window to Europe. He connected such cities as Constantinople, Rome and Athens. Which only best reflected on its prosperity. The destroyed walls were restored, new churches were built.

View from the Upper City. Fortress walls lead to the church of St. George, which in ancient times was connected to the Arch of Galeria.

Basilica of St. Demetrius, IV century.

3. To experience the atmosphere of a multicultural city

The Ottoman Empire captured Thessaloniki in the 14th century. The Greeks managed to break their shackles and breathe deeply only in the 20th century. But over 4 centuries, the Turks filled the city with features and customs that are not unique to their culture. For example, in the 19th century, Jews who escaped from Spain settled in Thessaloniki, creating their own community. Their numbers exceeded all Greeks and Turks combined. This led to the fact that Ladino, the language of Spanish Jews, became the official language of Thessaloniki.

Turkish Defensive Lion Tower. Now it is called the White Tower. Inside there is a museum, and at the top there is an observation deck. Entrance costs 3 €.

The dome of Yahudi Hamani, a Jewish bathhouse hidden in the green of the trees.

4. To ride around the city on a double-decker bus

In order not to burden the tourist with the study of public transport schemes, several tourist buses with the Hop-on Hop-off system have been introduced in Thessaloniki. For 10 €, anyone can see the city from the height of the second floor, also go out at stops at the most significant sights, inspect them and get on the next bus. Each passenger is entitled to an audio guide in any language, including Russian. “Bus Tour” is a great opportunity in a few hours to see the main places of the city and to outline your favorite directions for further study. The schedule and route can be found on the official website.

5. To feed pigeons on one of the most beautiful squares in Greece

In 1917, a terrible fire broke out in Thessaloniki, completely destroying its center. To restore the city, the French architect Ernst Ebrar was hired. He was able not only to return the image of the legendary Thessaloniki, but also to make some innovations. So there was a stunning Aristotle square, from which the pedestrian street of the same name originates. Unlike other cities, not only tourists, but also local residents like to walk and wander along this street.

6. To climb to the observation deck of the television tower

Due to the fact that the tower is located near the center, it offers a wonderful view of Thessaloniki, where you can see almost all the sights, as well as from a great angle to see the whole panorama of the Upper City. By the way, on the penultimate floor there is a restaurant.

7. To taste the most delicious Greek food

Everyone knows about the Greek Salad. And where, no matter how in Greece you need to try it ?! Absolutely any cafe is no worse than its competitor for about 3-4 € and will prepare a huge portion of a delicious salad, which will be difficult to overpower even together! For the second, you can take the traditional dish of Musaka, consisting of baked layers of eggplant, lamb and special sauces. But do not forget that Thessaloniki is a sea city! Therefore, seafood should be a must on a dinner table. And do not forget about a glass of Greek wine!

Agree, it’s much nicer to sit on the hood of a rented car on a high hill with a full stomach and watch a beautiful sunset. Watch as the setting sun, overflowing with multi-colored colors, stroking its rays the majestic Greek city of Thessaloniki, thereby promising to return to it the next day.