Thessaloniki_EN

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5 th walk:
ANO POLI (OLD TOWN)
a 3,000 hectare area. Only
a small section of the old oak
forest remains in Kouri area
as a result of the exploitation
that occurred during the
Byzantine period. Today’s
landscape is the result of
systematic reforestation that
took place in the 1930’s.
Despite the spreading of
the adjacent suburbs and
the 1997 big fire, it remains
a particularly popular
destination for Thessalonians
who come here to enjoy
hiking, mountain biking and
other sports, picnicking or just
to drink in the lovely view.
MUST SEE:
19.1 The Zoo.
You will find it in the section
that lies south of the city’s
ringroad. It covers a 5.8-hectare
area and is home to dozens
of mammal and bird species
of Greek wild fauna. Visit also
the Museum of Natural History
(opened in 1994) and
the House of Reptiles (opened
in 2000).
19.2 Forest Theatre.
[Theatro Dasous]. Within
a short distance from the Zoo,
this open-air theatre
(with seating for 4,000)
is a summer venue for great
concerts given by Greek and
foreign artists, as well as
other cultural events.
19.3 Theatre of the Earth.
[Theatro Gis] This impressive
open-air theatre (with a
seating for 4,300 spectators)
is located in the area of
Triandria (north of Kaftanzoglio
Stadium, see p. 41). It was
inaugurated in 1997 in view
of that year’s celebrations for
Thessaloniki as the European
Capital of Culture. It is
considered as one of the best
venues for cultural events
in Greece.
How to get there: Take
the bus no. 24 on Eleftherias
sq. stop. The terminus is
at the Zoo’s car park.
20 SYKEES
This beautiful area is to be
found NW of Ano Poli, outside
the city walls. Despite the
rising trend in house-building
in recent decades, it is still
dotted with detached houses
dating to the Interwar Period.
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The quarter was created mainly
to provide housing for the
refugees who settled there
in the early 20 th c.; however
traces of settlements exist
which date as far back as the
2 nd c. AD. In the lush greenery
of the Municipal Grove there
is a Municipal Theatre, where
major cultural events are held
during the summer months,
and an open-air cinema.
Further south, on a low hill, you
will see the imposing church
of Agioi Theodoroi, built on
ruins of a 7 th c. Byzantine
church, where the view of the
entire city is amazing. In the
neighbouring Elpidos Street
towards the city walls you will
see a group of refugee houses
– the area is in the process of
being changed into a “Cultural
Neighbourhood”.
How to get there: To
reach Sykees, you can either
walk from Ano Poli or take
the bus no. 23 (terminus at
Eleftherias sq.) and get off at
Agios Charalampos stop.
5 th walk:
ANO POLI (OLD TOWN)
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52 54
52.
The zoo
entrance in
Seich Sou
forest.
53.
View over
Agios Pavlos
district from
the Seich Sou
forest.
54.
Seich Sou
is very popular
with locals
who enjoy
coming for
a walk, for
leisure and
relaxing.