Holidays in Thessaloniki Greece

In Macedonia (the ancient homeland of Alexander the Great), in the northern part of the Greek mainland, are located several popular vacation spots in Greece: Thessaloniki, the Halkidiki Peninsula and Island of Thassos. Thessaloniki is the capital city of Macedonia (to not be confounded with F.Y.R.O.M, the country located north to Greece and named also Macedonia) and was established in 316 B.C. by Kassandros and named after his wife, Thessaloniki, sister of Alexander the Great.

Perhaps not so popular 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 the shores of Gulf of Thermaikos at Aegean Sea, the port has been for long time a strategic trading point for northern Greece and the whole Balkan Peninsula. Nowadays it is renowned for universities and colleges that attract students from entire Europe. Many tourists who spend holidays in Halkidiki landing at city's airport and as result hotels in Thessaloniki are very crowded in the high season.

Tours & Holiday Attractions in Thessaloniki - The White Tower

As a top holiday destination on the 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 attraction. It overlooks the city's waterfront and is considered the most important historical site in the area. The tower was built in the 15^th 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 building was whitewashed as a symbolic gesture of freedom.

At short distance from tower is located a another historical sight. Surrounded by luxury hotel resorts, 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 the former palace has been covered by modern architecture.

Next to 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. which served as 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 says 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.

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