Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki or as it is called unofficially Symprotevousa is the second largest city in Greece by population density. Capital of Central Macedonia, it is located north of the Hellenic Peninsula. A large metropolis with about 400,000 inhabitants, a lively and thriving industrial pole being a very important point for traffic in southeastern Europe, a cultural and economic center, it is constantly expanding and evolving, giving those who visit it a myriad of opportunities on what to see and do in Thessaloniki. It is also the second largest port in Greece after Piraeus in Athens.

Its history has very ancient roots, founded in 315 BC by Cassandro was initially located near the ancient city of Therma and in honor of the wife Thessalonica, half-sister of the great Alexander, he wanted the city to own it. Thessalonica in turn was named after his father Philip II of Macedon to commemorate his victory over the Thessalians which took place on the same day of his birth. In 146 BC under the Roman domination, it entered as part of the Empire becoming, given its position, an important commercial center on the Via Egnatia which connected Byzantium to Durazzo. In 42 BC it was declared a free city and hosted one of the largest Jewish colonies, transforming itself into one of the first centers of Christianity thanks also to St. Paul who, during his pilgrimage, stopped in Thessaloniki and began to preach and lay the foundations of a church Christian. Unfortunately, the Jews did not like it very much and forced him to take refuge in Veria west of the city. When the Roman Empire split, it returned under Byzantine rule giving it the second place of importance after Constantinople. It was definitively lost in 1204 with the Fourth Crusade but returned in 1246 still under the control of Byzantium which returned it in 1423, giving it to the Republic of Venice which had to fall to the Ottoman Empire in 1430. Until 1912 the Ottomans dominated but in the first Balkan war was reconquered by Greece. In the First World War Thessaloniki became the base of the hero Eleutherios Venizelos and in 1917 a catastrophic fire destroyed a large part of the city, but Venizelos did everything to have it rebuilt in a modern way using the architect Ernest Hebrard who gave it a completely European and innovative.The fire hit above all the assets of the Jewish community which was forced to emigrate thus giving place to the refugees of the Greek-Turkish war of 1922 which gave it a decidedly Anatolian imprint.

A young, energetic city with a lot of charm as well as various opportunities ranging from art, culture, history, shopping, entertainment and just over an hour from spectacular beaches. The nerve center of Thessaloniki is Aristotelous Square in the center with its dominant statue, where a multitude of bars, boutique shops await you. If you love shopping, Tsimiski, Egnatia, Mirtropoleos streets will be your elite for shopping. To see the majestic Church of Agios Dimitrios the patron saint of Thessaloniki, very ancient from the 5th century, built on the exact spot where the Saint was killed by the Roman emperor Diocletian in the period of Christian persecution. Unfortunately, in the fire of 1917 some frescoes were destroyed but luckily 5 were saved and can be admired above the altar. Below the Church of Saint Sofia of the eighth century, built on top of an early Christian temple dating back to the third century which preserves a stupendous mosaic in the dome representing the Ascension of Christ. Also in the center you have to make a foray to Athonos Square where you will be inebriated by the scents of the spice shops and the typical taverns where you can eat traditional dishes such as the typical bougatsa the specialty of Thessaloniki a pastry filled with stringy cheese or meat.And again the White Tower (Lefkos Pyrgos in Greek), symbol of the city, a defensive tower of the 15th century built on a previous one of the Byzantine era used by the Ottomans as a prison also nicknamed the Tower of the Blood for the barbarity committed inside. 34 meters high, today it houses the Museum dedicated to the history of Thessaloniki. From the top a wonderful panoramic view.

We pass to the Arch of Galerius of 300 BC built to commemorate a victory against the Persian empire. Originally it had four pillars with a large dome above, today there are only three pillars and the dome no longer exists, but war scenes can be admired on the remains. This is the university area passing from Rotonda with its mausoleum in Melenikou up to Navarinou Square with its cafes and bars at popular prices.

North of the main square Piazza Aristostele is the ancient Roman forum. On the top of Thessaloniki called Ano Poli (upper city in Greek) instead the fortress with its Byzantine walls from the 4th century BC which dominates the whole landscape and offers spectacular views. Also in the upper town you can admire traditional fountains and wooden houses that were saved from the great fire of 1917.

Under the old quarter with its stone mosques, old churches and relics of the historical dominations passed through Thessaloniki over time. At the port we find the statue dedicated to Alexander the Great. In the area between McKenzie King and Ikithnou going down the steps the Roman baths and the Roman quarter with an early Christian baptistery, catacombs and the Church of Agios Ioannis Podromos.

There are many museums to visit such as the Archaeological Museum in the historic center with works from prehistoric times to late antiquity, with its Dervene Crater, a finely decorated bronze vase with dance scenes, the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle where you can learn about the history of the Greek battles against Ottomans and Turks, the Museum of Byzantine Culture with a collection of 3000 artifacts including mosaics, paintings, and jewels, and continuing the Jewish Museum in one of the few buildings spared from the fire that tells the story from their settlement to the their migration and the Holocaust.

Moving on to more modern things, we have the Museum of Cinema, that of Photography which is located in a warehouse at the port where permanent exhibitions are also hosted, in short, a truly great cultural and historical choice to enjoy in this multifaceted urban center.

For a trip out of town, about twenty kilometers from Thessaloniki to the archaeological site of Vergina, the tomb of Philip II, King of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great.

There are not many and they are not even that great in fact for the holidays it is difficult to come to Thessaloniki if you want a seaside holiday, you have to move out for a moment and more than beaches we can define them sand tongues like Platamonas , Katerini or Litochoro or if you want to take an hour by car or bus there is always the wonderful Chalkidiki Peninsula which will certainly be a paradise for lovers of long and immense white beaches with a Caribbean colored sea.

Surely if you are also looking for nightlife, Thessaloniki will not disappoint you at all, believe it! Here the sunrise is almost a must to see and not at all difficult given the amount of opportunities it offers. It begins with an aperitif on the seafront between the port and the main square in the Ladadika district, to continue with a tasty dinner in one of the typical taverns or for those who do not have a great appetite based on mezedes which in Greece are never lacking, perhaps with music live traditional, and then end up in the Kalamaria neighborhood on the coast where there are clubs open until the sun comes up. Here you can organize yourself as you wish, you will be spoiled for choice.

It is connected from all over Europe with direct flights, consult https://www.skyscanner.it/ to find the most convenient or suitable for your dates. If you want you can arrive by car or bus from Athens, it takes about six hours but it could be a good opportunity to stop in other splendid destinations in Greece such as Meteora or Volos. A weekend in Thessaloniki is perfect to break away from the daily routine.