Though a long walk at Thessaloniki’s harbor, one cannot miss the greatest landmark of the city, the White Tower. Built by the Ottomans along with many others to surround the medieval city, to follow their destruction under the threat of piracy in 1866, this remaining former prison, place for executions and fortress is the place where the whole history of the city passed through. Nowadays the White Tower houses the awarded Museum of Byzantine Culture elegantly designed to offer a brief overview of the town’s history. The museum exhibits the finest collection of Byzantine art in Greece, including regional artifacts, everyday objects and artwork, priceless icons, frescoes, sculpted reliefs, mosaics, jewellery, manuscripts, and pottery that reflect the social, religious and political aspects of this period, reflecting the important role of the city. A climb at the top of the tower is well rewarding as of offers a panoramic view of the city and the harbor from its rooftop café.

To gain a further insight on Thessaloniki’s history, a visit at the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, is a must. Tracing the old history of the city as well as ancient Macedonia, from prehistoric to modern times, the museum, regarded as one of the finest museums in Europe, is a true house of treasures. Classical and Hellenistic sculptures, spectacular artifacts and mosaics, some exquisite delicate Hellenistic glass, ancient tombs and relics, impressive craftsmanship in gold and precious metals, are featuring the incredible findings of the museum. A 3rd century BC Derveni papyrus, the only intact ancient papyrus found in Greece, along with treasures of the tomb of Alexander the Great’s father, Phillip of Macedon, discovered at Vergina, are only some of the most important historical exhibits to be found.

Great reminders of the city’s proud and ancient past are the Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda, built by the Emperor Gaius Galerius Valerius Maximianus to celebrate his victory over the Persians, depicting battle scenes sequences on the pillars of the archway. The Rotunda, initially built as the mausoleum of Galerius, became the first Christian church of the area at the times of Constantine the Great. However, through the centuries, as the city weathered different religions and empires, the rotunda has been transformed from Roman political hub to polytheistic temple, to Christian church to Islamic mosque and back to Christian church. Currently the Arch of Galerius is a perfect spot for a walk and coffee at one of the many cafés to surround the area, while the rotunda houses Christian art and occasionally holds art exhibitions and concerts.

Originally built on the ruins of a Roman bath, the massive church of Agios Dimitrios is honouring the patron saint of Thessaloniki, right on the spot where he was murdered in the 5th century. At the crypt of the martyr today lays a small but impressive collection of artifacts as remains of Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman occupants of the city. The beauty of the church however lies above ground with gorgeous mosaics on both sides of the altar and a beautiful façade.