SIGHTS IN THESSALONIKI
Thessaloniki is a cosmopolitan city, but it is also the refugees’ and poor’s mother, the cradle of a 2,300 year history and the favorite town of students and professionals. It contains thousands aspects that are worth for you to see.
During your stay at HOTEL PLAZA, do not miss to visit the most important monuments and museums of Thessaloniki, which are within walking distance of the hotel.
The historical monuments of the city are many and date back to Hellenistic and Roman times, Byzantium, the Ottoman period, to the wars and struggles of modern Greek history. The most important of these are:
- The White Tower
- The Arch of Galerius
- Rotunda
- The Ancient Agora
- The Museums (Archaeological, Byzantine, Folklore, Ethnological and Macedonian Struggles, Jewish, Atatürk, Cinema, Photography, Technological, Sports, War, Contemporary Art, Water, etc.)
- The Byzantine temples of the patron saint and protector of the city, Myrovlitis of Agios Dimitrios, with the relic of the Saint and early christian catacombs, Agia Sophia building of the 8th century AD. century, a copy of her homonym in Constantinople, Acheropiitos et a.c.
- The Step of Apostle Paul, from which the Apostle of the Nations addressed to Thessalonians his teachings and preaching.
- Turkish baths and other Muslim monuments.
- Wander to the Upper Town with picturesque alleys, old mansions, Byzantine monasteries and churches, Muslim monuments, Eptapyrgio, the Acropolis and its despotic castles. In the traditional taverns of the area you taste delicious appetizers and enjoy the unique sweets of Thessaloniki, enjoying the breathtaking view of the Thermaikos.
You can still visit:
- The TIF and the large Conference Center I. Vellidis
- The beach from the harbor of the city to the boundaries of the Municipality of Kalamaria with many cafes and bars along it, little boats to the Thermaikos
- The Aristotelous Square and the harbor
- The Zoological Garden and Sheikh Su’s Forest
- Karabournaki, with the King’s Palace (Palataki), the yacht marina and the intense nightlife
- Vassilissis Olgas street with impressive neoclassical buildings (Jewish, Italian, Austrian and Turkish) of the past two centuries.
- Make your shopping on the extensive market of Egnatia, Tsimiski and Vertical streets, the traditional Kapani and the Vlami market or one of the city’s modern big shopping centers. Watch some great theater plays, movie shows, concerts and other cultural events that are abundant in the city, try your luck at the Casino, have fun on the night slopes and organize excursions to the most remarkable nature and people’s monuments throughout Northern Greece:
Ø Archaeological interest: Vergina, Pella, Dion, Stageira, Amphipolis and others.
Ø Religious interest: Mount Athos, Meteora etc.
Ø Natural interest: Olympus, Petralona caves, Aggitis and Alistratis, Kerkini lakes, Volvi, Doirani.
Ø Skiing: Elatochori, Falakro, 3-5 wells, Lailias, Kaimaktsalan, etc.,
Ø Ponds: Loutraki Aridaias, Thermi, Nea Apollonia, Agistro, Sidirokastro, Agia Paraskevi.
- White Tower www.lpth.gr
The White Tower, is the symbol of Thessaloniki. Built in 1535, it was the city’s fortress to the sea, but it was also used as a prison and part of torture. After the liberation of the city, the Tower was whitewashed to be cleaned from the blood and renamed “White Tower”. It has a cylindrical shape, the height is about 35 meters and consists of six floors, with central circular halls, where significant historical finds are exhibited. It is kept in excellent condition and the view from its top is magnificent.
- Arch of Galerius or Kamara
It was built in 305 AD. to celebrate the triumph of Galerius against the Persians. From the original arch only 3 poles and part of the upper masonry have survived. The two main posts are covered with marble carved slabs. Through the main arch, access to the palace of Galerius and Rotonda was possible.
- Rotonda
Rotonda was built in Caesar Galerius (around 306 AD), as the temple of Zeus or Kavir or others, as a Mausoleum of the same. Its circular shape also owes its name. It was linked to the Arch of Galerius and its palaces by a special street. He received many blows from earthquakes and wars, as well as numerous interventions over the centuries. It became a Christian temple, a mosque, a museum and a space for cultural events.
- Ancient market
The ancient market was the center of the Roman city of Thessaloniki with public buildings, conservatory, galleries and entertainment venues. It stretched over an area of approximately 20 hectares between today’s Olympus and Philippos streets.