Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη), Greece

View of Thessaloniki with Mount Olympus
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thessaloniki_Olympus.jpg
Author: JFKennedy


Thessaloniki is the capital of the region of Macedonia in Greece. With an urban area population of over 800,000 (2011 estimate), it is also the second biggest city in the country after Athens.

Thessaloniki is the second major economic and political center of Greece. With its location on the northern part of the country, it is also a major transportation hub connecting Greece with the rest of southeastern Europe. The city has a major port and also has a vibrant art scene. Within the city is the World Heritage Site of Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessalonika.

Thessaloniki, Greece
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Overlooking_modern_Thessaloniki_seafront_from_Old_Town_2006.jpg
Author: Ian Kehoe


Thessaloniki was founded in 315 BC by King Cassander of Macedon. He named the city after his wife Thessalonike, half-sister of Alexander the Great. In AD 379 the city became the capital of the Prefecture of Illyricum. It was under the Byzantine Empire until 1204, when it was captured during the Fourth Crusade, but returned to the Byzantine Empire in 1246.

White Tower of Thessaloniki
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wittetoren.jpg
Author: Max Hermus


Thessaloniki fell to the Ottomans in 1430, and was under their rule 1912. The city was inundated with Greek refugees following the defeat of Greece in the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922). It was controlled by Nazi Germany from 22 April 1941 until 30 October 1944, during which period more than 95% of the city's Jews were killed. The city suffered from a powerful earthquake on 20 June 1978, but has since rebuilt itself. It has many well-preserved structures, some included as World Heritage Sites. It was the European Capital of Culture in 1997 and hosted the football events during the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Agia Sophia (Church of Holy Wisdom), Thessaloniki
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:07Thessaloniki_Agia_Sophia09.jpg
Author: Fingalo

Going to Thessaloniki

By Plane
The Thessaloniki International Airport (SKG), also called Macedonia Airport, is the main gateway to the city. It is located at Mikra, 15km to the southeast of the city. There is a 24-hour bus service connecting the airport to the city center.

By Train
Thessaloniki is well connected by train to major cities in Greece, as well as with Sofia, Bucharest, Belgrade, Skopje and Istanbul.

Places of Interest in Thessaloniki

Museums and Galleries in Thessaloniki

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