Thessaloniki_EN

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4 th walk:
HISTORIC CENTRE (3)
that the place had been used
by Christians as well, during
the late Roman period. South
of the passageway there
were shops dating from the
1 st until the 13 th century; the
underground Museum of the
Roman Forum (see p. 71) was
built there as an extension.
A 2 nd - 4 th c. AD Odeon [C]
was found behind the wellpreserved
eastern stoa. It
has been restored and it is now
used as a venue for cultural
events. A mint and an archive
office are right next to it. In the
SE side, a round bath house
[D] was unearthed which has
been in use since the 1 st c. BC.
Parts of a colonnade, mosaic
floors, marble stairs, a section
of a stone-paved street, sewer
pipes, silver coins, stone and
marble sculptures were all
found in this archaeological
site. The forum is also where
the “Enchanted Ones” (las
Incantadas) were discovered,
a two-storeyed colonnaded
archway with Corinthian-order
columns and pillars four of
which have survived. They are
decorated with figures in relief
in their interior as well as their
exterior side (“Stoa of the
Statuettes”). It is estimated
that the Stoa’s location was
at the south entrance to the
forum (from Egnatia Street);
in 1864 the pillars were
removed and escorted to their
present location at the Louvre
Museum (Paris) by E. Miller.
1.7 Bit-Pazar.
An edifice with lots of
atmosphere, Bit Pazar (meaning
Small Market place) is a spot
where the town’s antique shops
are to be found. Its ground level
was constructed in 1930 and
higher floors were added in the
1960s. Facing the inner square
and lining the surrounding
streets namely Tositsa (where
the main entrance is), Venizelou
and Olympou, there are many
second-hand shops, antique
dealers’ and furniture shops.
In recent years the variety of
restaurants, ouzo tavernas
and café-bars has made it a
hot spot particularly among
students. Within a short
distance (at 35, Syngrou
St.) you will see the Jewish
Monastirioton Synagogue
the only one to have survived
the 2 nd World War.
1.8 Experimental School.
It was built following the
plans of D. Pikionis, a leading
Greek architect, from 1936 until
1970. It combines elements
of modern and traditional
Macedonian architecture with
references to the style of the
Mount Athos monasteries.
1.9 Acheiropoiitos church.
(see p. 9)
1.10 Agios [Saint]
Athanasios church.
This timber-roofed church
is located in the SE side
of Acheiropoiitos church.
It was built in 1818 as a threeaisled
basilica and until 1880
there were ruins of an ancient
structure in the churchyard.
It is now a parish church.
1.11 Nedelkou Building.
(109, Egnatia st.). This 1909
building is a two-storeyed
piece of fine architecture (Xen.
Paionidis). In the past, the
ground floor housed shops
and the 1 st floor was the
house of the Nedelkou family.
It combines renaissance,
baroque, neoclassical and artnouveau
elements and has an
interesting interior decoration.
Today it houses the Mount
Athos Centre where the stay
permits are issued to those
who wish to visit the Mount
Athos monasteries (see p. 92);
there is also a bookshop and
an exhibition area.
1.12 Galerius Arch (Kamara).
One of the town’s major
landmarks, this arch is
the usual rendezvous place
for locals. It was built in
295-305 AD followingthe
incontestable victory of
Galerius over the Persians
and it was a monumental
arch on the north side of his
palatial complex (see p. 28).
Its west section still stands
and you can see embossed
depictions of Galerius’ military
successes. It is connected
to Rotunda via a wide
pedestrian way. Right next to it
lies Panagia Dexia church
(1950s), built on the location
of a postbyzantine church.
In it there is a rare icon of
Panagia (Virgin Mary) holding
little Jesus on her right side.
1.13 Rotunda.
(see p. 10)
1.14 Agios [Saint]
Panteleimon
(see p. 11)
1.15 Plateia Syntrivaniou
[Fountain Square].
It was named after the marble
fountain with the obelisk, located
4 th walk:
HISTORIC CENTRE (3)
37
34 35 36
34.
The renovated
Roman Forum
Odeon.
35.
The Arch
of Galerius
(Kamara)
decorated with
relief carvings.
36.
The fountain
[Syntrivani]
in the square
named after it.