Interested in the Byzantine churches of Thessaloniki? Experience a full Byzantine day with us, the SKG BUS! Private, full day tours to historical Thessaloniki are offered for up to 8 persons. Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city was established at 315 BC in the Hellenic era and is mainly linked to its Byzantine heritage.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The city is often referred to as an open-air Byzantine museum, as its Byzantine, Post – Byzantine and Ottoman monuments, have been declared as historical landmark monuments. Out tour covers all fifteen of the Early Christian – Byzantine monuments that were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988.
Rotonda monument. With a diameter of 24.50m is covered by a bricked dome, reaching a height of 29.80m which was converted into a Christian church, dedicated to the Agioi Asomatoi or the Archangels, during the Early Christian era.
Osios David church.This small church is located in the Ano Poli, at Aghias Sofias Street. It was once the catholicon of the monastery of Christou Sotira tou Latomou
Agios Dimitrios church. Dedicated to the patron saint of Thessaloniki, is a pilgrim church and is primarily renowned for its mosaics that survived the great fire of 1917. Mosaics of the 5th, 7th and 9th century are preserved. The crypt of catacombs of the church is a must visit as well.
Panagia Aheropiitos church. The Great Church of the Virgin Mary is situated in the city center and was built in the 5th century as a three – aisled wooden – roofed basilica with a narthex and gallery. It was built over the ruins of a Roman bath complex.
Agia Sofia church. This Byzantine church, dedicated to Christ, the true Word and Wisdom of God, was built in the late 7th – early 8th century at the location of a large 5th century Early Christian Basilica. It is definitely one of the most significant Byzantine churches of Thessaloniki.
Panagia Halkeon church. The Church dedicated to the Virgin Mary is located near and south of the ancient agora, in the coppersmith district from where its name is derived. It was built in 1028
Agios Pantelimon church. At a short distance from the Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda, lies the Byzantine church of Agios Pantelimon. The Church, the name of which is quite recent, served as the catholicon of the Theotokou Perivleptou Monastery,
Agioi Apostoloi church. Located at Olympou Street and near to the western walls, lies the Church of Agioi Apostoloi, once the catholicon of a monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary, built by Patriarch Nephon (1310 – 1314)
Agios Nikolaos Orphanos church. At Ano Poli, close to the eastern walls, within an enclosed yard lies the Church of Agios Nikolaos Orphanos, which also served as the catholicon of a Byzantine monastery.
Agia Ekaterini church. On the outskirts of Ano Poli, and close to the walls, lies the Church of Agia Ekaterini, which once served as the catholicon of a Byzantine monastery. It dates back to the late 13th – early 14th century.
Metamorphosis Sotiros church. At the junction of Egnatia and Paleon Patron Germanou Street lies the small church dedicated to the Savior Christ. It was built in 1340 as chapel to a Byzantine monastery, and originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Moni Vlatadon. The Vlatadon monastery is located just outside the northern walls of the Acropolis, a Patriarchal and stauropegic Vlatadon monastery, the only Byzantine monastery still providing services to the city. It was founded between 1351 and 1371 by monk Dorotheus Vlatis, a pupil of Gregorios Palamas, former Metropolite of Thessaloniki.
Profitis Elias church. At Ano Poli on a naturally rocky elevation, lies the unique in Thessaloniki in terms of its architectural type Church of Profitis Elias The Church was dedicated to Christ and served as the catholicon of the Akapniou Monastery.
Our full day tour to Byzantine Thessaloniki may well be enriched with other destinations or modified according to your requirements.Hotel pickups and drop offs are offered along with refreshments and bottles of water. Your driver is a local and a level 6, Google Local Guide.
For more information on visiting the Byzantine churches of Thessaloniki, the locals’ way, please give us a call at 00306976888113 or click here
