We start our tour at the Upper Town (Ano Poli), where we visit the Old Monastery of Vlatadon; the unique Byzantine Monastery that remains in operation in Thessaloniki and offers a wonderful panoramic view of “The Bride of Thermaikos Gulf”. Later on, walking through the picturesque alleys of Ano Poli, we reach the Church of Hosios David with the unique mosaic of the 5th century and the remarkable mural paintings.
Afterwards, we continue our Byzantine walk and visit the church of Saint Nicholas Orphanos, a particular graphic church with exceptional mural paintings of the 14th century. The church is located at a beautiful spot surrounded by structures of distinct architecture that denote the city’s rich history. Then, we make our way to the Byzantine Bath of Thessaloniki, a unique monument, which stands in the entrance of the Upper Town (Ano Poli). It consists the most well-preserved byzantine bath in Greece.
We realize our next stop at the glorious Rotunda, one of the most ancient and most impressive monuments of the city. According to the latest consensus it was erected in 300a.C by Galerius and forms one of the most significant monuments of Thessaloniki, known for its exceptional mosaics as they are among the most ancient in the Middle-East. Near Rotunda, the Church of Saint Panteleimon is located. This church constituted a spiritual centre of the 14th century. It has a notable and more complex architectural structure than any other church in town.
Our next stop takes place at Aristotelous square, in the city centre, where we visit the church of Panagia Chalkeon. It was established in 1028 by a byzantine official and his family. This monument is also known as the Red Church, due to the exclusive use of reddish bricks as building material.
Finally we visit the church of Saint Sofia, the «Big Church», as it used to be the metropolitan church of the city with the famous mural painting on its dome of the 9th century and the Early-Christian chapiters of the 5th century. Saint Sofia, as well as all the previous monuments we visit, are part of the World Heritage sites of UNESCO.
