THESSALONIKI - THE CAPITAL OF THE BALKANS

Historic Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece after Athens, which promotes modern Hellenism. It is a city that attracts the interest of historians, archaeologists and ethnologists. It is characterized by a number of majestic Byzantine monuments as it was a center for the ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine culture while listing monuments from the whole range of historical time. Many of the sites have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In the center of the city dominates the imposing White Tower of 1500 AD. which is a landmark of the prefecture. It was part of the defense of the city while due to its reputation as a prison it was also known as the "Tower of Blood" or "Red Tower" and inside there is a collection of various Byzantine exhibits.

The wider area of the White Tower houses the most important museums of the city such as the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Byzantine Culture, the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art and important cultural sites, such as the Royal Theater and the Society for Macedonian Studies which are permanent stages of the State Theater of Greece, but also the concert hall. On the beach, in the Warehouses of the port, in a series of emblematic buildings are housed the photography museum, the cinema museum and the center of contemporary art. Aristotle Square, which houses the statue of Aristotle, a work by the sculptor Georgios Georgiadis, bequeathed by the architect Ernest Emprar, stands out with its unique architecture and its shops that are one of the most cosmopolitan parts of the city.

There are some important buildings in the square, one of which is the Olympion, where the famous Thessaloniki Film Festival is held and the twin building of the Electra Palace Hotel, while the 12 buildings that surround it are classified as protected. A typical monument is the arch of the Gallery, known as Kamara between the Rotunda and the Palace of the Gallery which is a gathering point. It was built at the beginning of the 4th AD. century after the important victory of Galerius against the Persians. The Rotunda is a spherical building with internal niches, whose destination was worship. The church was converted into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire in 1591 and a minaret was added to it, the only one in Thessaloniki that survives to this day. The building now functions only as a museum.

The imposing statue of Alexander the Great on his horse Voukefalas by the sculptor Evangelos Moustakas dominates the beach. The statue is located on a unique route with wonderful theme parks along Nea Paralia. The International Fair is the largest trade fair, unique means of internationalization at the national level and one of the most important fairs in the Balkans. It is an important institution since it is visited every year by political leaders and official guests from other countries. It has three conference centers "Nikolaos Germanos", "Ioannis Vellidis" and Helexpo Corona which are equipped with modern electronic and audiovisual systems. The OTE Tower is an emblematic construction of 76 m. that adorns the International Exhibition. Originally built for telecommunications needs, it now houses one of the city's most popular cafes with a rotating floor with 360o panoramic views.

The Ancient Agora was an administrative, social and religious center in the heart of the ancient city a few meters from Aristotelous Square. There were the most imposing and majestic public buildings. Bezesteni, which means fabric, is one of the oldest commercial galleries that retains its old character and houses various small shops, mainly cloth merchants. At its premises, the quality of goods was controlled and exchange rates were set. The "Bey Hamam" or "Paradise Baths" in Aristotle is the oldest Ottoman Bath in the city and the most important in the Balkans. It had separate spaces for men and women while they are considered unique for the decorative compositions and the intricate designs inside them. The famous Navarinou square with its monuments, cafes, restaurants, the park and the characteristic fountain is a reference point together with the pedestrian street of Dimitriou Gounari.

Stoa Modiano and Kapani are one of the most characteristic parts of the city that have maintained their traditional style over the years. They have hosted small shops that sell fresh fruit, fish, spices, etc. since 1925. The designs were made by Eli Modiano who had built the Customs and the villa that houses the Folklore Museum. The celebration that is organized every New Year's Eve stands out, where the whole city has fun until the morning. Characteristic are the area Ladadika, the Port and the area of Valaoritou which are a pole of attraction for lovers of intense nightlife. Impressive bars with views, clubs, concert halls in old factories characterize the area. High gastronomic cosmopolitan restaurants, historic kitchens, ouzo in the old markets and boxes offer unique tasting experiences. The nightlife of Northern Greece is a tradition and is one of the "strong" points of the city.