Thessaloniki_EN

THESSALONIKI
DION – VERGINA – ANCIENT PELLA
PETRALONA CAVE – LAKES AREA
Ever since the 4 th c. BC when it was founded,
Thessaloniki has kept its urban character and has
remained a civic centre and the hub of that region.
The city’s centuries-old multicultural history has been
associated with great empires, as it has known the
Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Rule. The town was also
greatly influenced by many ethnic and religious groups
(Jews, Latins, Armenians and others) as well as Greeks
from Constantinople, Pontus [modern-day northeastern
Turkey] and Asia Minor [a.k.a. Anatolia]. The numerous
monuments, dating to many historical periods, coexist in
a singular and charming way and manifest Thessaloniki’s
historical multicultural and cosmopolitan nature.
Nowadays, the historic capital -by right- of Macedonia,
the land of Alexander the Great, has evolved into a modern
and particularly charming metropolis. A multitide of
monuments and cultural assets and the town’s traditional
ways exist in harmony with the modern aspects and the
high standard infrastructure, the carefree mood, the spirit
of hospitality, the vitality of the locals – particularly the
young – setting the pace of town life, the diversity of
artistic events, the long list of choices for entertainment,
the exceptional culinary tradition, and the fresh feel in
the atmosphere, coming from the seafront, as well as the
coolness of the northwest wind called Vardaris.
Thessaloniki’s location is at the centre of a greater area
with incomparable historical monuments and natural assets
as it offers the opportunity for a visit to archaeological
sites known the world over (Ancient Pella, Vergina, Dion,
Petralona Cave), to areas of exquisite nature (river deltas,
lakes, Mt Olympus), to the monastic state of Agion Oros
[the Holy Mountain] as well as to Halkidiki, a famous tourist
destination. And there is always an opportunity to practice
sports (swimming, skiing, playing golf etc) or to indulge in
wellness tourism (hot springs, spas)!
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In short, Thessaloniki is a city that can cater for even the
most demanding needs, any time of the year.
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1.
The White Tower
area is one of the
busiest parts of
the city, where
the old seafront
(Nikis Ave.) meets
the new (eastern)
waterfront area
of Thessaloniki.
«…There is a homeland for everyone,
while there is Thessaloniki»
Nikiforos Choumnos,
14 th c. Byzantine dignitary and a scholar.