We arrived in Thessaloniki in the afternoon, having driven there from Albania through Macedonia. At first glance, we found it to be a vibrant city, bustling with activity, especially in Aristotelous Square and the beautiful waterfront that wraps around the city towards the Aegean Sea, the White Tower, and the impressive Alexander the Great monument.
Thessaloniki, located in northern Greece, is the second-largest city in Greece and is a unique mosaic of different cultures and civilizations. It boasts a rich history and many charming sites dating mostly to the Roman and Byzantine periods.
We parked our car at the hotel in the city center and decided to take a walk along the beautiful waterfront, reaching Aristotelous Square, which is most impressive with its buildings featuring exquisite architectural designs inspired by European styles. It is home to many important tourist attractions, restaurants, and hotels within a short walking distance.
Aristotelous Square is a wonderful place to enjoy coffee, drinks, and leisurely strolls along traditional and modern boats, especially at night, as Thessaloniki is known for its lively nightlife. The square is crowded with strollers from late afternoon until almost midnight.
This main square of the city was designed in 1918 by the French architect Ernest Hébrard. In this beautiful place, you can enjoy exploring the buildings surrounding the square, including Electra Hotel and the cinema theater, as well as walking through the narrow, cobblestone streets and dining at local restaurants that exude historical charm. Don’t miss taking a leisurely stroll here after sunset to enjoy a unique atmosphere blending romance and tranquility.
Food Delights!
After our exploratory walk, we headed to an authentic Greek restaurant serving only local dishes. Thessaloniki, and Greece in general, is known for the quality and variety of its food. The delicious dishes we had for dinner were remarkable and unforgettable. Greek cuisine, in general, is known for its rich diversity and attention to detail in food variety and presentation, with a strong presence of salads, vegetables, fish, and seafood, among other specialties.
After dinner, we wandered along Tsimiski Street in the city center, which is by far the most famous shopping street in the city, with hundreds of fashion stores, boutiques, and renowned brands.
The next morning, we visited the Historical Museum, which houses archaeological artifacts dating back to four of the most important historical periods of Thessaloniki and its surrounding regions of Macedonia. In addition to the museum’s splendid design, built-in modern Greek architectural style, it also features an unparalleled collection of artifacts and historical treasures representing the Hellenistic, Classical, and Roman periods. Moreover, the museum pays special attention to the historical methods in which ancient Macedonians used gold as decoration. As the city dates back to prehistoric times, there is also a section attempting to reconstruct the region’s image at that time.
Thessaloniki is about 500 km away from Athens and is the second-largest city in Greece in terms of population after the capital, Athens, with a population exceeding one million inhabitants, including its suburbs. Therefore, it is the second-largest Greek city in terms of population after Athens. It is also considered the second-largest industrial, commercial, economic, and political center in Greece, and is an important transportation hub in southeastern Europe.
Thessaloniki is one of the oldest European cities, dating back to 315 BC when it was founded by Cassander, the ancient Macedonian king.
Historical Landmarks
Thessaloniki boasts many landmarks and archaeological sites dating back to the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods, many of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
During the Roman period, the city’s importance increased after the fall of ancient Macedonia in 168 BC at the hands of the Romans, especially when they built the Ignatian Way, connecting Constantinople to Rome, making the city an important trade station and capital of the Roman province of Macedonia.
During the Byzantine and medieval periods, the city, under the reign of Theodosius the Great – between 379 and 395 AD – became the capital of the Illyricum province and part of the Eastern Roman Empire, as well as a religious center and base for imperial campaigns against the Goths.
In 1185, it was occupied and destroyed by the kings of Sicily, and a year later, it was recaptured by the Byzantines. In 1204, it was conquered by the Crusaders, and the Latin Kingdom of Thessalonica was established, and the Greeks attempted to regain it several times, succeeding in 1222.
In the late fourteenth century, it was twice occupied by the Ottomans but was expelled by the Byzantines. However, in 1430, they finally took control of it during the reign of Sultan Murad II, during which the city regained its commercial dominance.
Thessaloniki is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It is a thriving commercial city and a gateway to many Balkan countries.
Source: Gulf Tourism News