Monuments of UNESCO, Thessaloniki

This is about monuments of medieval era, which are included in UNESCO’s catalogue, since 1988, and monuments that are considered to be of global heritage.

• The walls of Thessaloniki, which are built in byzantine architecture, are dated back to the oldchristian times (4th century B.C.). During the centuries, those walls had protected the residents of Thessaloniki from different enemies’ attacks that this town had to face.
• Rotonda of St. George was built in 304 B.C. Its initial use, however, was to be a Mausoleum for Caesar Galerium. In the times of Christianity, was transformed into a Christian church. It named Rotonda because of its cycle shape, while the name of St. George it is owned to the nearby little church.
• The royal of Mother of God of Aheiropoitou, has conserved the shame shape today, as her initial was, at that time it was built, in 5th century. This church, today, is devoted to Mother of God. As for the name “aheiropoiiti’’, it is owned to the image of Mother of God, which is believed not to be made of human’s hand. The church was transformed into a mosque, during the ottoman domination, while during the First World War; it was used as an accommodation for the refugees.
• The church of Agios Dimitrios was built in 5th century, right above of the place where the Saint was imprisoned and died. It was hit from fire twice, one in 7th century, and one in 1917, in which the church was almost destroyed entirely. It has been attacked several times from both the Saracens and later, from the Vikings, whereas it was transformed into a mosque from the Turkish.
• The old Latomou Monastery, in Ano Poli of Thessaloniki, today it is named the ‘’Temple of Hosios David’’. Built in the beginning of 6th century, it is mostly known for its famous mosaic from the sanctuary apse, in which is depicted the vision of the prophet Ezekiel.
• The temple of St. Sophia, is devoted to the God’s wisdom and it was built in the late 7th century. The beautiful mosaics inside the temple are belonged to the period of iconoclast. The temple had to face major difficulties, as it was hit from fire in 1890, while it had been transformed into a mosque and later from an earthquake in 1978.
• The temple of Panagia of Halkeon is located in the square of the ancient market, in the centre of the town. From an inscription, that is located in the west entrance, we learn that it was built from Christopforos. Its external design has traces of Istanbul influence. In the inside, the temple is decorated with frescos and sculptured marbles.
• The temple of St. Panteleimon, is a monument of the after Byzantium period (13rd- 14th century). It was transformed in a mosque from the Turkish on 16th century. The most wall paintings, in the inside of the temple, are dated back to the period of the Turkish occupation, whereas there are also some traces of Byzantium decoration.
• The temple of St. Apostoloi, is located near the west walls of the town. It was built by the patriarch Niphon, as we informed from inscriptions of the church. In the inside of the temple, there are some outstanding mosaics, which are dated back to the palaiologean era.
• In Ano Poli, is located the temple of St. Nickolaos the Orphan, which was built in the beginning of 14th century. During the period of Ottoman domination in Thessaloniki the temple continued to be used. The wall paintings, which are decorated the inside of the temple, are definitely traces of paleologean technography.
• The temple of Agia Aikaterini, was built in the lates of 13rd century and is located in the northwest side of Ano Poli. The wall paintings, which are decorate the inside of the church, are very interesting and beautiful and they depict Saints’ faces, Jesus’ miracles and scenes from Gospel. During the Turkish occupation, the temple was transformed into a mosque and as a result, the wall paintings were erased by the Turkish and got lost.
• The temple of Metamorfosis tou Sotiros, is dated back to 1350 A.D. This little temple, which is located at the center of the town, is stands out for its wall paintings. Interesting is also the fact that under the temple there are tombs.
• The Vlatadon Monastery, in Ano Poli, is the only one monastery that belongs to byzantine period and it is used today. It was built in 14th century, in the same region where another older temple was. There are many interesting wall paintings inside the temple, movable images and generally heirlooms, which are safe until today.
• This outstanding temple of Profitis Elias, is located in Ano Poli, and it was built in the middle of 14th century in honor of Jesus, while it was renamed to temple of Profitis Elias after its transformation into o mosque, by the Turkish.
• Byzantine Baths today are located to the region of Ano Poli and the time of their building to be at around 1300. Given the fact that, those baths are the only one that remains from byzantine period, in Greece. Their value is huge. They were used for another 7 centuries even the Turkish occupation.