Besides being Greece’s second major industrial, economic, commercial and political centre, the city’s strategic location in the heart of the Balkans, has bolstered Thessaloniki’s role as a major transportation hub for both Greece and southeastern Europe. In addition, the newly renovated and expanded “Makedonia Airport” connects Thessaloniki to the rest of Europe and the world, being the second largest airport in Greece.
Sightseeing
With over 23 centuries of history, Thessaloniki is today as youthful and attractive a city as the royalty form whom it derives its name:
Thessalonike, daughter of Philip II of Macedon, sister of Alexander the Great and wife of Cassander, who founded the city in 315 B.C. Currently, Thessaloniki is the second largest and most populated city in Greece, with slightly over one million inhabitants in its metropolitan area. It is the capital of the geographical area of Macedonia, and it is also known as the “co-capital” of Greece, beside Athens. This is a direct reference to its historical status as the “co-reigning” city of the Byzantine Empire, alongside Constantinople.
An important metropolis during the Roman period, Thessaloniki was the second largest and wealthiest city of the Byzantine Empire. Conquered by the Ottomans in 1430, it remained a prominent seaport and multi - ethnic metropolis during the almost 500 years under the Turkish rule, until it was united with the Kingdom of Greece, in 1912. For the whole span of these five centuries, it was the only Jewish-majority city in Europe.
All its cultural past and diversity are reflected in a multitude of museums and historical landmarks that can be found in abundance throughout the city. The Rotunda church is one of the most prominent ones, located in the very heart of Thessaloniki. Built in 306 AD by the Roman Emperor Galerius Maximus either as a pagan temple or as his own mausoleum, it was soon converted to a Christian church by the Byzantine Emperor Constantine the Great and remained such until 1591, when it was again converted to a mosque, hence the minaret erected next to it.
The extended seafront and the recently developed esplanade, from Aristotelous square to the White Tower, constitute the perennial meeting point of the city’ s inhabitants and is adorned with artworks like the “Umbrellas Installation” by G. Zongolopoulos. An early morning jogging session or an evening stroll at sunset provide highlights to be kept in memory for life.
Amazingly, Thessaloniki is not only a city of rich historical background of yester years: in the dawn of the 21st century, it bears a “heavy” cultural footprint and is considered to be one of the most vibrant cities in Greece, if not THE most vibrant. Featuring a renowned University and a large student community, Thessaloniki is also famous for its intense nightlife and gastronomical treasures, deeply rooted in the traditions of Asia Minor and the Balkans.
