7 Stunning Churches of Thessaloniki You Must See
Be it through their history, beauty or architecture, the stunning churches of Thessaloniki have great stories to tell to those who want to listen.
Rotunda
The Roman Rotunda, similar in architecture to the Pantheon in Rome, is one of Thessaloniki’s monuments that you just have to see, because it has been through a lot! From a Mausoleum, to a Buzantine Church, to a Mosque and finally to a Christian Church, its many faces tell the tormented history of the city.
Built in the early 4th century, it was probably designed as Emperor Galerius’ mausoleum, but Emperor Theodosius the Great converted it into a Christian (Byzantine) church.
Under Ottoman rule, the building was turned to a mosque, and its minaret is a relic of the Islamic era. After the liberation from the Turks in 1912, the Rotunda was transformed into what it is today, also known as the Church of Saint George.
Locals simply call it “Rotonda”.
Saint Demetrius
Saint Demetrius (Agios Dimitrios), also known as the Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius the Myroblyte, was a Christian martyr of the early 4th century AD. As patron saint of Thessaloniki, this church holds a special place in the hearts of the city’s residents: a must-see spiritual sight for sure.
During the Turkish period, it was converted into a mosque, where Saint Demetrius was imprisoned and executed. For centuries, pilgrims have come from all over the Byzantine Empire to venerate the saint’s relics, which are preserved in a sarcophagus in front of the iconostasis.
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Moni Vlatadon
Moni Vlatadon is a monastery, and another addition to the reasons you will love Ano Poli. It was built between 1351-1371 AD near the Walls of Thessaloniki, giving you the opportunity to admire a great view of the city.
The monastery got its name from the monks Dorotheos and Markos Vlattis. Although only a few parts remain the same from the original building, it is definitely worth a visit – you will also be able to admire the peacocks in its back yard!
Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom)
Hagia Sophia, or the Temple of the Wisdom of God, is one of the oldest and most important Christian temples in the city, which has remained intact over time and functions to this day, constituting a recognized World Heritage Site at the same time.
Dating back to the 8th century, this marvelous church was based on the architectural design of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, present-day Istanbul, Turkey. This is one of the reasons why it is of great importance to Greeks, and Thessalonians in particular, reminding them of their roots in Asia Minor.
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Acheiropoeitos
The Church of the Acheiropoietos is a 5th-century Byzantine church, probably the oldest of the surviving churches of Thessaloniki and the only one in the eastern Mediterranean region – it’s also a Palaeochristian and Byzantine UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We know its name will give you a hard time pronouncing it, but you’ll have fun trying! It means “not made by hands” and comes from the presence of a divine icon of Panagia Hodegetria (Holy Mary) that once resided in the church.
Church of Panagia Chalkeon
The Church of Panagia Chalkeon is an 11th-century Byzantine church, located in the Ancient Agora Square. The archeological site of the Roman market of the city is located northeast, and was named “The Virgin of the Coppersmiths (Chalkeon)”, because its location is adjacent to the area where the coppersmiths of the city traditionally lived.
The entire building is built of bricks, which gave it the popular nickname “the Red Church”. The exterior is enlivened with a variety of arches and pilasters, elements which can be traced to Constantinopolitan influence.
Temple of Saint David
The old Catholic Latomos Monastery, known today as the Temple of Saint David, is an early Christian monument of Thessaloniki. It is located in Ano Poli, at the end of Agia Sofia Street. The temple was originally dedicated to Christ the Savior or Prophet Zacharias
In a rather Greek turn of events, the church was incorrectly attributed to Saint David at the beginning of the last century and has remained such ever since !
The temple was built on the site of a Roman building in the late 5th to early 6th century. At the same time, a mosaic was made in the arch with the sponsorship of an anonymous woman who, according to tradition, was Theodora, daughter of the emperor Maximian, who had embraced Christianity.
Whether you just love history, enjoy architecture or visit these stunning Thessaloniki churches simply due to religious beliefs, you will not be dissapointed. The city has so much to offer, no matter what you’re looking for!
