Thessaloniki_EN

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Thessaloniki lies in the
centre of a wide area that is
extremely interesting from
an archaeological, historical
and natural point of view;
there are countless options for
outdoor activities, relaxing and
entertainment. For instance,
you can combine your stay
in town with a day excursion
to renowned archaeological
sites and places of historical
interest, to fascinating towns
and great natural reserves
or to areas offering recreation
or relaxation.
1 ANCIENT PELLA
Inhabited since the Late
Helladic period, the area
flourished when Archelaos,
the Macedon king, moved
the capital of the Macedonian
state from Aiges (Vergina) to
Pella (late 5 th – early 4 th c. BC).
The then seaside town grew
larger during the reign of King
Philip II (his son, Alexander
the Great, was born here)
and grew even larger later
during the rule of Cassander.
By the mid-2 nd century BC it
had evolved into the greatest
political, financial and cultural
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centre among the Hellenic City
States. In 168 BC when the
Macedonians were defeated in
the battle of Pydna, Pella was
conquered by the Romans.
It gradually declined and got
eventually deserted in the 1 st
century BC. Among the finds
of the greatest value are the
exquisite mosaic floors in the
buildings, which manifest the
high standard of living enjoyed
by the residents.
MUST SEE:
Houses. Most town houses
were spacious, with an inner
central yard, a peristyle and
rich decorations. The House
of Dionysus (4 th c. BC) was
named after the mosaic which
depicts god Dionysus on a
panther, holding a thyrsos [a
staff of giant fennel], another
mosaic shows a griffin rending
a deer. The House of the
Snatching of Helen, (325-
300 BC) contains mosaics
picturing Theseus abducting
Helen, as well as scenes of
an Amazonomachy [a battle
between the Greeks and the
Amazons] and deer hunting.
Agora. This building
complex dates to the 4 th c.
BC; it occupied a 70,000 m 2
area and used to be the
administrative, commercial,
cultural and artistic hub of
the town. In the centre there
was a large court surrounded
by arcades and rooms where
all kinds of commercial shops
and workshops, as well as
the Public Archives were
to be found.
Temples. Excavations
have unearthed the Temple
of the Mother of Gods and
of Aphrodite (4 th c. BC),
the Temple of Darron (2 nd c.
BC) and the round-shaped
Thesmoforio, a name given
to temples dedicated to
goddess Demeter; it is located
in the modern town area.
Palace. It lies on the
northernmost hill and covers
a 60,000 m 2 area. You will
reach it via the modern town.
The earlier buildings date to
the 2 nd half of the 4 th c. BC;
complementary constructions
were added later. In the
centre there was a peristyle
surrounding the courtyard,
a propylaeum, and the royal
quarters were on the north side.
Eastern cemetery. It is
located east of the town.
Excavations on the site
brought to light rock hewn cist
graves which date back to the
period from the Copper Age to
the Classical times; at a short
distance from it there is a
chamber tomb (4 th -2 nd c. BC).
Alexander the Great
Bathhouse. On the way to
Giannitsa town, you will see
this bathing facility of the
Hellenistic times.
Archaeοlogical Museum.
This modern museum is
among the most interesting
ones in Northern Greece.
Exhibits are grouped in 5
principal thematic categories:
in the first one, exhibits
relate to the daily life of
the Pella residents (mosaics,
wall decorations, objects
of everyday use and so on);
in the second one, the public
life is depicted with finds
mostly from the Agora area;
in the third one, objects used
in the temples are on display
and information is given on
the local religious practices;
in the fourth one, there are
finds from the cemeteries and
in the fifth one, focus is placed
on the architectural design and
structuring of the palace, as
well as on the life of Alexander
the Great. An interesting film
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1.2
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1.1 5.1
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2.1
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4.1
97.
The Pella
Archaeological
site: the
restored
peristyle
[colonnaded
courtyard]
in House A.
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3.2
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