Salonica Attractions

The Thessaloniki Archeological Museum, originally opened in 1963, recently underwent extensive restoration work allowing for new exhibition space of the permanent collection. The museum's main focus is on the Macedonia culture, parituclarly in the Thessaloniki area from prehistory to Christian times.

To the east of Áyios Dimítrios in Salonica, on the north side of Odós Kassándrou between Odós Ayíou Nikoláou amd Odós Sofokleous, is the Alaja Imaret Mosque with its seven domes. Of its multi-colored minaret there remains only the base.

Half way between the long building of the Custom House, on the harbor, and the White Tower, extending north into the town of Salonica, is the rectangular Platía Aristotélous (Aristotle Square). The many cafe and restaurants in the arcades around the square make this a popular rendezvous, particularly in the evening, but the traffic-free area in the center of the square is also a good place for rest and relaxation durting the day.

At the west end of the market area in Salonica is the old Turkish Bezesteni, which in the 16th century ranked as the finest bazaar in the whole of the Balkans. To the south of this, between Ermoú and Tsimíski, is a Turkish bath-house, the Yaudi Hamam.

In the Salonica city center the picturesque Central Market area (Kentrikí Agorá) extends on either side of Aristotle Street, with numerous shops supplying everyday domestic needs as well as many tavernas.

In the northwest of old Salonica, on the north side of the broad Odós Ayíou Dimitríou at its intersection with Odós Dragoúmi Filímonos, is an imposing building now known as the Diikitíron (Dioiketerion; Government House) which houses the Ministry of Northern Greece. It was originally built in 1891 by the Italian architect Vitaliano Poselli on the site of the old Turkish Konak to house the Turkish governor's offices.

In the Salonica city center, on the north side of Egnatia Street, between Venizelou and Dragoumi Streets, stands another monument of the Turkish period, the Hamsa Bey Mosque (now known as the Alkazar), which is thought to have been built about 1468.

To the east of the Palace of Galerius extended the Roman Hippodrome (Circus), which was some 500m/550yd long. Although it has been located by archeological investigation, it has not been excavated because of the modern buildings which cover the site. Here in A.D. 391 the Emperor Theodosius the Great ordered the massacre of 7,000 citizens of Thessalonica, for which he was taken to task by St Ambrose, bishop of Milan.

The Langádas Spa is recommended for rheumatism, arthritis, general nervous system. The method of treatment is bathing and mud baths.

The Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art offers a permanent collection of works by Greek and international artists. The museum also features temporary exhibitions, a library, as well as lectures related to art and art history.

The Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki seeks to preserve and promote Byzantine culture. Some of the items on display include sculptures, mosaics, wall paintings, icons, coins, inscriptions, ceramics, manuscripts, minor art, and glassware recovered from the excavations in Thessaloniki.

The Museum of Macedonian Struggle in Thessalonica is situated in a late 19th century mansion which originally housed the Greek Consulate when it was under Turkish rule. Photographs, newspapers, documents and personal items tell the story. In the museum, gun and dagger are on display.

North of Áyios Dimítrios in Salonica, at the junction of Kassándrou and Ayíou Nikoláou Streets, is another Turkish bath-house, the Yeni Hamam (New Baths), also built on Roman foundations.

The Yeni Cami (New Mosque), designed by Italian architect Vitaliano Poselli, was built in 1902 for the Dönme sect (Jews converted to Islam). From 1917 to 1962 it housed the Archeological Museum.

From the Arch of Galerius in Salonica Gounari Street runs southwest to a large square, Platía Navarínou, with remains of the Palace of Galerius (Anáktora Galeríou) which were excavated in the 1970s. On the south side of the site is an octagonal structure, the function of which has not been determined.

In the southwestern suburb of Kalamaria in Salonica are numbers of fine 19th century villas and mansions, many of them designed by Italian architects in neo-classical style.

One such house of some historical interest is the Villa Allatini (designed by the Italian architect Vitaliano Poselli, 1896), in which the deposed Sultan Abdul Hamid II was confined from 1909 to 1912. From 1926 it was occupied by the newly founded University.

South of the church of the Holy Apostles in Salonica, at the junction of Karátsa, Kálvou Andréa and Zefirón Streets, is a Turkish bath, the Pasha Hamam (now known as the Phoinix).

The Thessaloniki Cinema Museum was established in 1997 following the cities recognition of being the "Cultural Capital of Europe". That year was also the centenary of Cinematography.

The Salonica Art Gallery exhibits noteworthy paintings by Greek and international artists and is housed in the building of the Society of Macedonian Studies.

The Ethnological Museum (Ethnoloyikó Mousío) is housed in a handsome 19th century building in Queen Olga Street (Vasilíssis Ólgas 68), formerly the fashionable Rue des Campagnes, which runs southwest from the town. The collection displays folk art and life of the last two and a half centuries - costumes from all over northern Greece, jewelry, weapons and everyday objects.

The Salonica Ethnological Museum contains a collection of traditional local costumes from the districts of Thessaly, Macedonia and Trace as well as hand-woven fabrics, woodcarvings and metal objects.

The Souroti Spa in Salonica is recommended for dyspepsia and other digestive disorders, chronic intestinal trouble, chronic catarrh, functional disorders of liver, disorders of urinary tract. The method of treatment is drinking the bottled water.

Southwest of the Salonica Archeological Museum on the seafront promenade, reached by walking through the gardens, can be seen a modern equestrian statue of Alexander the Great.

From the White Tower in Salonica a broad avenue, Leofóros Ethnikís Amínas, runs northeast along the line of the former town walls to a large square, Platía Syntrivaníou, which is crossed by Egnatia Street. In the center of the square is an obelisk fountain, set up here by the Turks in the late 19th century and re-erected in its original form in 1977.

The Akhirópiitos in Thessaloníki is a large Early Christian Church built in the fifth century with mosaics of astounding beauty and harmony of color.