Thessalonica  Monuments - Churches

THE ARCH OF GALERIUS:

Built a little before AD 305 in commemoration of Garius's victory over the Persians in AD 297. (It stands at the junction of Egnatia and D. Gounari Streets).

 THE ROTUNDA:

A circular building erected in AD 306 as the Pantheon or Mausoleum of Galerius. Under Theodosius The Great it became a Christian church with only a few additions or alterations. Its mosaics are unique for the era (4th century). Is located on D. Gounari Street.

THE AHIROPIITOS:

A large, early Christian church built in the 5th century with mosaics of astounding beauty and harmony of color. Is located in Agia Sophia Street.

OSSIOS DAVID (or The Latomos Monastery):

Early Christian church constructed in the late 5th century. Its splendid mosaics portraying "the glory of the Lord" or "the visin of Ezekiel" are reowned. Is located in the Upper Town.

THE OLD WALLS:

Erected under Theodosius the Great they encircled the medieval city.

THE WHITE TOWER:

This large tower and its counter parts Trigoniou, at the southeast corner of the citadel were probably erected in the 15th century. Some smaller towers stood there before the 15th century.

AGIOS DEMETRIOS:

Restored in 1948 after having been destroyed by the great fire of 1918, in conformation with its original plan as a five aisled basilica. The church was built on top of the old Roman baths and is decorated with mosaics.

THE CRYPT:

The easternmost section of baths, where St. Demetrios was incarcerated, tortured and buried.

AGIA SOPHIA:

An 8th century building representing a transition from th domed basilica towards the crusi form plan with dome, superb mosaic.

THE PANAGIA OF HALKEON:

A crusiform church, an inscription records that it was built in 1028. The church contains lovely ceramic ornamentation and 65 stunning wall paintings.

AGIA EKATERINI:

(13th century), with a beautiful preserved exterior and some fragments of frescoes.

AGII APOSTOLI:

(14th century), crusiform church with richly decorated facade, mosaics and frescoes from the Palaeologal era.

VLATADON MONASTERY:

(14th century), in the Upper Town. Celebrated for its Ecumenical Foundation for Patristic Studies, the only one in the world. Its church is crusiform in plan with a dome

AGIOS NIKOLAOS ORFANOS:

(14th century), with superb frescoes. It became a dependency of the Vlatadon Monastery in the 17th century.

PROFITIS ILIAS:

Built in 1360, on the foundation of a Byzantine Palace.