At a distance of 35 kilometers, one finds Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece, with a population of over 1,000,000, one of the most ancient cities in Europe. It was founded in 316 B.C. in the place of a prehistoric settlement dating back to the year 2300 B.C., by Cassandros, King of Macedonia, and was named after his wife and sister of Alexander the Great.
Modern Thessaloniki, a port city full of life, preserves monuments of the Roman and the Byzantine era, many of which are found in the Archaeological Museum, where a large number of treasures of Ancient Macedonia are kept. In Thessaloniki, there is also Aristotle University, the largest university in Greece, one of the most acknowledged institutions of higher education in Europe.
Modern Thessaloniki is famous for its fine restaurants and their excellent cuisine, both in the city center and the suburbs and surroundings. The city’s cafeterias liven up the streets, while in the seaside restaurants one can taste a wide variety of fresh seafood.
The lovers of nightlife will discover a city throbbing with life during the night hours. There are abundant nightclubs, cafeterias and bars in Thessaloniki, while in the area near the airport, they can enjoy themselves going to the “bouzoukia” to listen to Greek music.
Nea Kallikratia- Thessaloniki 35 km 30΄
The White Tower, the landmark of Thessaloniki standing on the city's waterfront, was once the south-east tower of a large fortification. According to travelers' descriptions and old representations of the city, the section of the wall along the seafront, which was demolished in 1867, had three towers; the White Tower was the one at its east end where it joined with the east wall. Its exact date is uncertain, but it was probably built in the fifteenth century after the conquest of Thessaloniki by the Turks, to replace a Byzantine tower mentioned by Eustathius, Archbishop of Thessaloniki, in his description of the 1185 siege of the city by the Normans. Throughout its long history the tower's name and use changed several times. It was called the 'Fortress of Kalamaria' in the eighteenth century, and the 'Tower of the Genitsaroi' or 'Bloody Tower' in the nineteenth. In 1890, a convict whitewashed the tower's walls in exchange for his freedom, hence the name 'White Tower'. After the liberation of Thessalonike in 1912, the tower became public property. During the First World War it housed the allied forces' communication centre, and in 1916 its first floor served as storeroom for the antiquities excavated by the British in their sector. It was also used for the city's anti-air defence, as a meteorological laboratory of the University of Thessaloniki and as base for the city's navy scouts, the last to occupy the premises before the building's restoration. The famous White Tower cafe and theatre stood near the tower in the early twentieth century, but both were demolished in 1954 when the surrounding park was enlarged.
The White Tower was restored in 1983-1985 by the Ninth Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities to be used as exhibition space. It housed the exhibition « Thessaloniki History and Art » during the celebration for the city's 2300 years, and the exhibition « Byzantine Hours- Everyday life in Byzantium in 2001». From 2006, when the exhibition set up is expected to be completed, it will house the Museum of the City of Thessaloniki.
Agia Sofia Byzantine church in Thessaloniki is dedicated to the Wisdom of God and not to the saint (Sofia=wisdom). It was built in the 7 the century over a predecessor church, in basilica style. At least 2 temples existed on the location of today’s church as proven by archaeological excavations. From 1585 and until the liberation of the city in 1912. It was converted into a mosque and suffered a lot of damage mainly in its interior. Agia Sofia is a scale model of the Agia Sofia in Constantinople. Its style marks a transitional period from a basilica with a dome to a cruciform church with a dome. In other words, it is based on cross-in-square-form architecture. The church contains a god number of mosaics and frescoes from the early Byzantine period, as well as a magnificent sanctuary. Square of Agia Sofia Thessaloniki.
For farther information’s and opening hours visit www.agiasofia.info 0030 2310 270253
Agios Dimitrios of Thessaloniki Thy church of Agios Dimitrios in Thessaloniki is dedicated to the memory of Dimitrios, the martyr and patron saint of Thessaloniki. It was first built in 313 AD but after the fire of 612 which completely destroyed it, the church was rebuilt and preserved until 1917, when for second time it was completely destroyed during the fire of 1917. Its restoration began in 1926 and was completed in 1948. After the fall of Constantinople and until 1912, the church had been converted into a mosque by the Ottomans. Agios Dimitrios in Thessaloniki is one of the most magnificent monuments of the Greek East. It is representative of the five-aisled basilica with a transept style. Although so many centuries have passed since its construction and despite the damage it has suffered from fires, earthquakes and restorations, it has preserved its authentic style and spirit of grandeur that characterize the architecture of the time, as well as its magnificent and timeless Artistic value and style, as we can judge by the parts that have remained intact. The crypt hosts an exhibition of the sculptures that decorated the church in the different phases of its history.
Thessaloniki Agiou Dimitriou 97, for farther information’s and opening hours visit www.inad.gr. 2310 270008
The church is Acheiropoietos of Thessaloniki, preserved today in the same form that was built in the 5th century - making it unique in the eastern Mediterranean. Located on Agia Sophia, across the square of Macedonian struggle. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, acheiropoietos mean "without hands" devotional image of the Virgin which was found in the temple. It is believed that the images were created without any intervention by human hands and probably refers to an image of the Virgin Mary is believed that was painted by angels. In the 15th century church of Acheiroietos converted into a mosque after the city became part of the Ottoman Empire and became a Christian church again after 1912, when the Greek army liberated the city.
Agias Sofias Thessaloniki
Τhe exhibition includes discoveries from the Neolithic Age, the Iron Age (1100-700pCh), the Archaic period, Classical period the Roman period. Guests can admire ancient gold ornaments and weapons from the region of Macedonia and neighboring areas. A separate ward houses the impressive unique finds from the looted tomb of King Philip of Macedon, discovered in Vergina by Professor Andronikos in 1977. Exposed even the bones of King Philip. The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki is regarded as one of the best museums of its kind in the world.
Manoli Andonikou 6, Platia Chanth, For more information’s and opening hours call www.amth.gr (0030) 2310 830538
The permanent exhibition of the museum includes exhibits which presents various aspects of Byzantine art from the era of prosperity until the period that followed the fall of Constantinople to the Turks in 1453. exhibits displayed not merely as works of art but as witnesses to the culture that created them and the society that used by information about their original context and use. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions from museums all over the world relative to Byzantine art and Byzantine culture. In previous exhibitions included Treasures of Mount Athos, reports icons and other interesting exhibitions.
2 Stratou Avenue Thessaloniki
For more information and opening hours visit www.mbp.gr (0030 2313306400) 41 km 36 ‘
The Science Center and Technology Museum "NOESIS" is welfare, non-profit cultural and educational foundation that promotes Technology Culture and creates an appropriate environment for informing the public of the latest developments in Science and Technology. You can visit Exhibitions with topics related to Science and Technology: The "Technopark", featuring interactive, hands-on exhibits. The "Ancient Greek Technology", one of its kind, refers to the period from prehistoric to the Hellenistic and Byzantine era. The "Image and Sound". Digital Planetarium, which represent astronomical and natural phenomena. Virtual Reality Simulator. Show Point, Mobile Amphitheatre Demonstration and Experiments, showing impressive science experiments.
Apposite to Mediterranean Cosmos Thessaloniki www.noesis.edu.gr 30 km 25΄
Visit Othoman monuments and the house of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, was actually born in Thessaloniki. In 1935, the Thessaloniki City Council gave the Turkish state, Kemal Ataturk and converted into a museum dedicated to him. The building, which dates back to 1870, has 3 floors and a courtyard. It was repaired in 1981 to its original pink color. Most of the furniture is authentic and what is missing replaced with furniture from the mausoleum of Ataturk and the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. On the walls are pictures of Kemal from different periods of his life and all documents related to the school year of Kemal. A pomegranate tree, planted by his father Kemal still grows in the courtyard.
Ag. Dimitriou str. Thessaloniki 43 km – 40΄
llied cemeteries Zeitenlik, in Thessaloniki is the largest military cemetery in the country, which are buried 20,500 soldiers of the Entente allies, who fought in the Macedonian front during the First World War. The cemetery is divided into 5 sections, depending on the nationality of the fallen
French area: 8,089
Serbian sector: 7,500
Italian sector: 3,000
British sector: 1,600
Russian sector: 400
The Serbian section by the entrance of the cemetery was built in the period 1928-1936. In the basement of the ossuary bones are preserved 7,500 Serbians soldiers, making it an important national pilgrimage for Serbians.
Lagadas str Thessaloniki, 44 km 40΄
Water land enjoy and relax with: Pirates island, Crazy river, Wave pool Multi slides, Simvoli slides, Kids pool, Zen pool, Tarzan
Nea Kallikratia - Tagarades Thessaloniki
For more information and opening hours visit www.waterland.gr (0030 2392072025) 27 km 25’
Magic Park offers: Flash tower, 4G, Montagna, Crazy Dance, Giant slide, Flume Ride, Flying swing, Carousel, Bungee trampoline, Safari train, Mini flume ride, Bumping boats...visit www.magicpark.gr for more info and opening hours.
N. Kallikratia - Thessaloniki 2310476770 30 km – 25΄
