Thessaloniki archaeological and religious places of interest

Churches and monasteries

Famous Thessaloniki churches and monasteries to visit are, Ag. Dimitrios, with its mosaics and catacombs (7th century and later) and Ag. Sofia, with its mosaic of the Ascension on the central dome, are two of the city’s most important churches, while Achiropiitos Church, is the oldest and best prerved basilica of the East. The church of Ag. Nikolaos Orfanos (14th century) which is the chapel of an old monastery and the churches of Ag. Apostoli and Ag. Ekaterini are fine examples of the so-called “Paleologian” art of the 14th century that was named after the Byzantine Dynasty of the Paleologos family and epitomize what is known as the golden century of Thessaloniki.

Some other Thessaloniki churches and monasteries worth a visit are: Ag. Andreas in Peristera, an old Christian building of peculiar style and many architectural innovations, the church of Metamorphosi Sotiros at Chortiatis (12th century) , with important frescoes partially preserved, the church of Ag. Athanassios, near Vertisko, with frescoes dating from 1740 and the Monastery of Vlatadon (14th century), which still shows the “tribune” from which , according to the tradition, Apostle Paul preached when he visited the city in 50 A.D. Last but not least, the monastery of Ag. Anastasia near Thessaloniki (right next to the village of Vassilika), with valuable manuscripts as well as the relics of Agia Anastasia offered to the Monastery by the wife of the emperor Leontas VI Sofos in 893 A.D., the Monastery of Ag. Georgios (outside Asprovalta) and the monastery of Ag. Ioannis Theologos at Souroti are definitely worth a visit.

Modiano Mansion

Modiano Mansion constructed in 1906 by the Israelite Giako Modiano and designed by his son Eli Modiano, it is known as the “Old Government House”. From 1913 onwards it was successively used as a palace, as the residence of the General Governors of Macedonia, as a Religious Seminary and as a Military School. Its architectural design has an eclectic style strongly influenced by the “art nouveau”. Notably significant is the two-tiered balcony (lodgia) with a view of the sea.

Roman Market 

The restored Roman Market was the administrative and social centre of the city towards the end of the 2nd century A.D. The entrance of the Roman Market is known as the “las incatadas” , a name given to it later by the Spanish Jews.

Rotonda

Rotonda is the temple of Zeus or Kaviros, with exceptional mosaics , was converted into a Christian church by the emperor Theodossios in 395 A.D.

White Tower

The White Tower of Thessaloniki is the symbol of the city and the most famous tower in Greece. It has a dominant position and houses  magnificent collections depicting the Byzantine history of Thessaloniki. Built in 1500 A.D., it was part of the defense system of the city.

Gallerius Arch

Gallerius Arch was built in the southern side of the historical centre of Thessaloniki in 305 A.D. , to celebrate the definitive triumph of the Emperor over  the Persians . It consists of four main columns and two smaller ones on each side. Only a part of this monument has been preserved to this day.

Villa Mordoch

Villa Mordoch was built in 1905 for the Turkish divisional commander, Seifoulah Pasha, it is a representative example of eclectic architecture. It is a two-storied, tile-roofed edifice with an elevated basement and an attic. The interior painting decorations are also of great interest. Today, it houses the Municipal Art Gallery.