Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is Greece’s second largest city. It is known for its blend of Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman history.

The White Tower is often the first thing kids notice. It stands by the sea and is seen as a symbol of the city. Once a prison, it now holds a museum and offers views across the Thermaic Gulf.

The city was founded in 315 BCE and named after Alexander the Great’s half-sister. Its location made it important for both trade and defense.

The Romans built the Via Egnatia, a road that connected Thessaloniki with the rest of the empire. Roman ruins like the Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda still stand in the middle of modern traffic.

In Byzantine times, Thessaloniki became the empire’s second most important city. It was a major military and trade center after Constantinople.

The city faced tragedies too. In 904, Arab pirates attacked and carried thousands of people away as slaves. In 1185, Norman forces from Sicily sacked the city.

Even so, Thessaloniki grew into a major Christian center during the Middle Ages. Many of its churches are now UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The Ottomans captured Thessaloniki in 1430 and ruled for nearly 500 years. During this period, the city became home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the world.

Most were Sephardic Jews who had fled Spain. Sadly, the community was almost destroyed in World War II when the Nazis deported tens of thousands to concentration camps.

Walking around today, you can see how all of that history shaped the city. Families can explore the Ano Poli, the old upper town, with its walls and towers still standing from Byzantine times.

The waterfront is perfect for an evening walk. The Archaeological Museum showcases treasures from ancient Macedon.