One of the most beautiful parts of Thessaloniki lies in the city’s Upper Town (Ano Poli), which is the oldest surviving part of Thessaloniki. It served as the Turkish quarter during Ottoman times while the Greeks and Jews lived near the port.
Growing up Greek in the USA, every October 28 we celebrated Oxi Day. The holiday is a reminder of the bravery and sacrifices of the Greek people while fighting against the Axis forces during World War II.
My all-time favorite place in Greece to have a meal or drink or coffee (especially on a weekend) is in a revamped old area near the port in Thessaloniki called Ladadika.
The Church of St. Demetrios is the most important church in Thessaloniki and part of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage listing.
The Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessalonika are a group of 15 UNESCO World Heritage sites built between the 3rd and 14th centuries. 13 of them are churches or monasteries. They’re all located within walking distance of other important sites in Thessaloniki, Greece.
After being conquered in 1430, Thessaloniki endured 482 years of Ottoman occupation. Very few of these important structures that shaped the history and landscape of the city during that era, such as the Lefkos Pyrgos (White Tower), survive to this day.
The Rotunda of Galerius, part of Thessaloniki’s UNESCO World Heritage listing of Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessalonika, was originally built in 306 AD as a Roman temple by Emperor Galerius. The structure may have been intended as his mausoleum.
What’s left of ancient Thessaloniki mostly dates back to Roman times and Emperor Galerius. The city center is home to a few interesting ancient sites.
Other than the city’s UNESCO World Heritage listed churches there are several other beautiful post-Byzantine churches in Thessaloniki, Greece. They’re scattered around the city center. Many of these churches, which don’t look like much from the outside, are adorned with vivid frescoes and priceless icons.
A great place to start a tour of Thessaloniki is with an iconic symbol of the city, the White Tower, or Lefkos Pyrgos (Λευκός Πύργος), an important Ottoman monument.