Thessaloniki Holidays Greece

in Macedonia (ancient home to Alexander the Great), located in the northern part of mainland, are several well-known vacation spots in Greece: Thessaloniki, Halkidiki Peninsula, and Island of Thassos. Thessaloniki is the capital city of Macedonia and was established in 316 B.C. by Kassandros and named after his wife, Thessaloniki, sister of Alexander the Great.
Perhaps not so famous in the world but with a historical heritage equal to and probably more diverse than Athens, Thessaloniki is the second largest city of Greece and has some of the best hotels of the country, most of them located in the airport area. Situated on Gulf of Thermaikos in Aegean Sea, the port has been for long time a strategic trading port for northern Greece and the whole Balkan Peninsula. Nowaday it is renowned for universities and colleges that attract students from entire Europe. Many tourists who are spending holidays in Halkidiki landing at city's airport, so hotels from there are very crowded in the high season.

Thessaloniki Hotels & Greece Mainland Holidays

As a top holiday destination on mainland of Greece, this city offers plenty of accommodation types, from luxury hotels and villas to cheap apartments. Thessaloniki has a rich cultural heritage, dating back several millennium. About Thessaloniki are references even in the New Testament, from which the most famous are St Paul's letters to Thessalonians, some of the oldest records of Christian literature!
The "White Tower" is the symbol of Thessaloniki and a top tourist spot. It overlooks the city's waterfront and is considered the most important historical site in the area. The tower was built in the 15 century and served as prison during the Ottoman Empire occupation of Greece, from 1430 to 1912. In that period it was known as "The Bloody Tower". After Thessaloniki was liberated the tower was whitewashed as a symbolic gesture of freedom.
At short distance from tower is located a another historical sight. Surrounded by luxury hotels, apartments, shops, and taverns, there is "Galerius' Palace", the former residence of the Roman emperor Galerius. It was built at the beginning of the 4^th century A.D. extends close to the walls of the buildings surrounding the site and is believed that much from palace has been covered by modern architecture...
Near Galerius' Palace is located the splendid Arch of Galerius. Built to commemorate the emperor's victory over Persian in 297 B.C., the stone arch contains carvings celebrating the battle. Behind the arch is a massive circular stone structure with a huge domed roof called "Rotunda", that was built also for Galerius. It was transformed into a Christian church during the reign of emperor Constantine, 20 years after death of Galerius, and is considered the oldest Christian church in Greece.
The &Roman Forum& is a another important historical place, build around 297 A.D. and market place where the ancient Greeks traded their goods.
North to the Roman Forum is located the most important from the 57 churches in Thessaloniki - "Agios Demetrious". This monument is filled with beautiful ornaments and paintings of Saint Demetrious, the Patron Saint of Thessaloniki and former commander of the Roman forces occupying Thessaloniki. The legend say that in 303 A.D. the emperor ordered Demetrious to execute all christians living in Thessaloniki. Because Demetrious was also christian, he refused the order and consequently was killed.
Other important churches from Thessaloniki include Agios Sofia, Agios Katerina and the church of the Holy Apostles. All contain excellent examples of mosaics, wall paintings and relics of the Byzantine era.