Thessaloniki (Salonica)

Photo:VERONICA CONSTANTINESCU

Thessaloniki or Salonica is Greece's second-largest city and the capital of Macedonia. The Thessaloniki Urban Area curves round the Thermaic Gulf for approximately 17 km and comprises 16 municipalities. According to official data (the 2001 census), the City of Thessaloniki had a population of 363,987.

Thessaloniki is a vibrant city and it is Greece's second major industrial, commercial and cultural center as well as a major transportation hub in southeastern Europe. Its commercial port is of a great importance for Greece and for its southeast European hinterland. The two state universities of the city host the largest student population in Greece.

As a cultural center, it is renowned for its large number of monuments of Byzantine architecture as well as for some main Ottoman, and Jewish structures. The city is famous for its International Trade Fair which takes place at the beginning of every September and for the Thessaloniki International Film Festival which attracts local and international celebrities of both cinema and theater.

What to see in Thessaloniki

• The White Tower of Thessaloniki (Lefkos Pyrgos), widely regarded as the symbol of the city. It has been known by many names and is now home to the Museum of Byzantine Cultures. The top of the tower offers excellent views of the downtown area.

• The Arch and Tomb of Galerius is more commonly known as the "Kamara", is ornately decorated and made with a reddish coloured stone.

• The Upper Town or 'Ano Poli' is what remains of Ottoman Thessaloniki, beautiful wooden houses overhang the winding streets all the way up to the Eptapyrgio at the top of the city. The Ano Poli also contains some of the city's oldest and most important churches, particularly Osios David, St. Nicolaos Orphanos and Vlatades Monastery.

• The Church of Aghios Demetrios is the most important church in the entire city. Lying above the remains of the agora and the Roman Forum, the church has three side-chapels, a museum, and underground catacombs that also include the imprisonment chamber of Saint Demetrios', the patron saint of the city.

• The TV tower in the center of the Thessaloniki Expo Center. A revolving restaurant offers great views of the city.

• The waterfront is Thessaloniki's popular tourist site. The promenade of Nikis Avenue runs from the White Tower of Thessaloniki to the giant palace that is now a ferry terminal. Numerous shops and cafés line the waterfront.

• The Rotonda or the Church of Aghios Georgios, which is a circular church lacking the classic Orthodox iconostasis. The church is built upon former Roman and Greek pagan ruins.

• The area surrounding the Church of Aghia Sofia, also located in the city center, includes the large church and paved alleyways that make the few blocks around it famous.

• The extensive Byzantine walls of the Upper City (Ano Poli) and kastro.

• The Kyvernion (little Palace); former residence of the King and Queen of Greece; in the Karabournaki area, in Eastern Thessaloniki.

• The Ancient Agora of Thessaloniki and the Roman Forum

• Monastery of Latomos at Thessaloniki

• The Roman Palace and Hippodrome

• The Trigonian Tower and the Castra area

• The extensive city walls

• Crypt of Aghios Demetrios

• Agia Paraskevi, Thessaloniki, archaic cemetery

Thessaloniki, The White Tower.