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20 Best Tourist Attractions in Chania, Greece

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Hania Archaeological Museum

The setting in the beautifully revived 16th century Venetian Church of San Francisco is reason to pay a visit with to this nice selection of artefacts from Neolithic to Roman times. Late-Minoan clay baths used as coffins capture a person’s attention, together with a huge glass case using an entire herd of clay bulls (used to worship Poseidon). Standouts include Hellenistic gold jewellery Roman floor mosaics, clay tablet together with Linear A and Linear B script, and a marble sculpture of the head of Roman emperor Hadrian.

Downstairs is a group of Minoan jewellery pottery and clay models. Especially notable are the statue of a marble fountain Diana and, at the courtyard decorated with lions’ heads, a vestige of the Venetian tradition. There is A Mexican fountain really actually a relic from the days of the building like a mosque.

The church was also a movie theater in 1913, a mosque beneath the Turks, and also also a munitions depot for the Germans during WWII. At the time of research there were plans to move the museum to a new location test ahead before visiting.

Venetian Harbour

There are regions where grandeur and Hania charm are far more real than at the Venetian Harbour. Pastel-coloured buildings that punctuate a number of narrow lanes lined with shops and tavernas lined it. The southern side has been dominated by the domed Mosque of Kioutsouk Hasan, today an exhibition hall, while a few steps farther east the impressively restored Grand Arsenal houses the Centre of Mediterranean Architecture.

Maritime Museum of Crete

Part of the hulking Venetian-built Firkas Fortress at the western port entry, this tradition celebrates Crete’s nautical tradition with model boats, naval instruments, paintings, photographs, maps and memorabilia. One room is dedicated to historical sea battles, whilst upstairs there is thorough documentation of the WWII-era Battle of Crete. You might be fortunate enough to observe artists working on new model ships in the boat workroom.

Firkas Fortress

The Firkas Fortress at the tip of this volcano heads the portion of this fortifications which have been built by the Venetians to safeguard the city from marauding pirates and invading Turks. The Turks invaded any way, in 1645, and turned on the fortress. Now, parts of it house the Maritime Museum of Crete. There exists a great view of the volcano in the top.

Byzantine & Post-Byzantine Collection

Into 1913, this collection of icons artefacts, jewellery and coins spans the time in the restored Venetian Church of San Salvatore. Highlights include a part of a mosaic floor from an early-Christian basilica and a panel recently attributed to El Greco.

Venetian Fortifications

Part of a strategy begun in 1538 from Michele Sanmichele, who designed the defences of Iraklio, Hania’s gigantic fortifications remain striking. Best maintained is the western wall, running from the Firkas Fortress to the Siavo Bastion. Entrance into the fortress is via the gates. The bastion provides good views of this town.

Mosque of Kioutsouk Hasan

One of the most bizarre and most prominent vestiges of this era is the dusky-pink multidomed mosque on the eastern aspect of the Venetian Harbour. It was built in 1645, making it the Ottoman building in the city. It’s some times open for temporary art exhibits.

Nea Hora Beach

Hania shore is a 10-minute walk west of the Venetian Harbour. Tavernas and holiday-apartment rentals back Even the 500m-long strip that was yellow-sand. Shallow, it’s favored by sailors and good for children.

Historical Museum & Archives

The Historical Museum & Archives of Hania, about a 1.5km walk southeast of the old harbour, traces Crete’s life-sized history using a collection of exhibits focusing on the fight from the Turks. There is a section on WWII showing an execution pole utilized by the German army and a katsouna (wooden crook) local Cretans used to kill German paratroopers. There are also belongings of federal protagonist Eleftherios Venizelos (1864–1936), both the Cretan leader and Greek prime ministry, and a folklore group.

Church of Agios Nikolaos

One among the most intriguing buildings of Hania is this church using both a bell tower and a minaret — that the latter replaced a bell tower that is second for being a mosque under principle. Inside, the large bronze chandeliers dangling from a barrel-vaulted coffered ceiling will probably draw on your interest.

Lighthouse

The light house at the mouth of this Venetian Harbour is one among Hania’s landmarks, dazzling at sunset after which illuminated after dark. Although it underwent many changes over the years 21m rise and was constructed from the 16th century by the Venetians. It’s a lovely walk out here using views of the water front.

Etz Hayyim Synagogue

Crete’s only remaining synagogue (dating from the 15 th century) was severely damaged in WWII and reopened only in 1999. It matches a mikveh (ritual bath), tombs of rabbis and a memorial to the area Jews killed by the Nazis. Now it functions a congregation and is available for visitors. Find it onto a lane accessible only from Kondylaki.

Greek National Football Museum

This very small museum may look as a shop, however is in reality crammed with over 2, 000 pieces of soccer memorabilia. Run the president of the Soccer Club, by Nikos, it houses signed tops by the Euro 2004 cup, in addition to legendary players such as David Beckham, Pelé and Zinedine Zidane.

Grand Arsenal

Impressively restored out of a roofless ruin, the 16th-century Venetian arsenal was the last of the 17 shipyard buildings in Hania’s Venetian Harbour. After stints as city, hospital and faculty hall, it’s currently home to the KAM Centre of Mediterranean Architecture, that hosts regular events and exhibitions.

Permanent Collection of Ancient & Traditional Shipbuilding

The Minoa, a painstaking replica of a Minoan ship that sailed from Crete to Athens for the 2004 Olympic Games, now eternally docks at a converted Venetian shipyard (neorio). Tools utilized in photographs and its own making from the epic journey contribute alive this amazing feat.

Greek Orthodox Cathedral

This three-aisled basilica with its bell tower that was outstanding is devoted to the Virgin of the three Martyrs, Hania’s patron saint. The current structure was completed in 1860 and stays atop an older church dating to the 14th century which was demoted to soap mill during rule.

Cretan House Folklore Museum

Hania’s interesting Folklore Museum contains a selection of crafts, including local paintings weavings with traditional designs; and several rooms of some traditional Cretan house. Find the entry in the courtyard near the Catholic Church of Assumption and head upstairs.

Municipal Art Gallery

Hania’s modern memorial presents temporary exhibitions of contemporary works by national and local artists around three elegant, well-lit floors and evokes the inside of a boat. Shows are free but ticketed at approximately $2 to $4.

Eleftherios Venizelos Residence & Museum

A few 2km west of the old town, at the Halepa neighbourhood, the Eleftherios Venizelos Residence & Museum keeps the fantastic statesman’s home in magnificent style, with original furnishings, maps as well as different details.

Church of San Rocco

This 17thcentury Venetian church was probably built after an outbreak of plague and has been turned into a guard house underneath the Turks. Restored to each of its glory that is late Renaissance, it’s scarcely available to the public.

25 Best Tourist Attractions in Rhodes Town, Greece

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Archaeological Museum

A sunkissed rock lion invites people into the magnificent 15thcentury Knights’ Hospital which holds Rhodes’ superb archaeology museum. Exhibits range through several upstairs galleries, and round beautiful gardens to a annexe that is open shorter hours at summer (9am to 4.50pm). Highlights include the lovely Aphrodite Bathing marble statue from the very first century BC, a pavilion displaying wall-mounted mosaics, and also a rebuilt burial site in 1630 BC that maintained that a helmeted warrior along with his horse.

Knights’ Quarter

Essentially the Knights of St John, an occupying army altered the Old Town’s northern segment during the 15th and 14th centuries, to create what’s known now as the Knights’ Quarter. Taking care to protect themselves from the populace as well as offenses, the knights erected a palace in addition to mighty mansions.

Palace of the Grand Master

From the surface, this magnificent palace looks far as it did erected by the Knights Hospitaller. Throughout the 19th century, nevertheless , it was ruined by an explosion, hence the inner is now an Italian renovation, performed from the’18th year of the Fascist Era’ (1940). Dreary chambers up stairs hold artworks, and so the many interesting segments are the historical museums downstairs, one devoted to ancient Rhodes and one other towards the medieval history of the island.

Street of the Knights

Bucolic and significantly prohibiting, the Street of the Knights (Ippoton) was dwelling from the 14th century into the Knights Hospitaller who ruled Rhodes. The knights were divided in to seven’tongues’languages or languages, depending on their birthplace — England, Auvergne, Germany, Italy, Aragon, France and Provence for a certain section of their fortifications. As wall displays explainthe street carries an’inn’, or palace. Its modern appearance owes much to restorations throughout the 1930s.

Hora

The central district, south of the Street of the Knights of Even the previous Town, is known as the Hora. Having gained its appearance following the Ottoman takeover of 1522, it is referred to as the Quarter. The most important of many churches that became mosques is the vibrant, pink-domed Mosque of Süleyman, in the very best of Sokratous. Next Door, the Muslim Library, founded in 1793 by Turkish Rhodian Ahmed Hasuf, homes Persian and Arabic manuscripts plus Hand Written Korans.

Jewish Quarter

The Jewish Quarter, an enclave of narrow lanes from the Oldtown’s South East corner, Centers on Plateia Evreon Martyron (Square of the Jewish Martyrs). Now all too quiet and dilapidated, it was home to a people of 5500. Half fled in the 1930s, while 1673 Jews were deported to Auschwitz in 1944. Even the Jewish Museum of Rhodes, entered via the 1577 Kahal Shalom Synagogue — the oldest synagogue in Greece — tells the complete story.

Old Town Walls

Rhodes’ Old Town is rare in preserving its fortifications allbut intact. On weekdays, people can grasp their sheer scale by walking an extensive, grassy (and largely unrailed) 1km stretch of their ramparts, by the Grand Master’s palace to St John’s Gate. You receive views of the domes, minarets and gardens within the Old Town, although there isn’t any shade; also pass the gigantic Bastion of St George, and look from the profound moat.

Old Town Moat

The moat under the oldtown ramparts was only a defensive ditch. Now landscaped with ample lawns and blossoms, as a park, it’s really a terrific place. It is available through stairways at the heart of St Athanasios and St Anthony; or from the gardens nearby Liberty Gate in the north; at Akandia Gate in the southeast. Watch out for heaps of stone cannonballs, fired by Ottoman besiegers in 1480 and 1522.

Modern Greek Art Museum

The gallery of this Modern Greek Art Museum, close to the New Town’s southern point, holds paintings, paintings, engravings and sculptures from some of the biggest 20thcentury artists of Greece. The real highlight is that the top floor, devoted as a result of a bequest from his widow to the notable paintings of Valias Semertzidis (1911–83), whose job ranged from depictions of wartime hardship and struggle for Rhodian landscapes.

Acropolis of Rhodes

Now known as the Acropolis of Rhodes, the site of This Early Hellenistic city of Rhodes stretches up the slopes of Monte Smith west of the Oldtown. Just a few of ruins are restored, including an elongated, tree-lined stadium from the 2 nd century BC. Steps climb from a theatre, used for lectures by the Rhodes School of Rhetoric (whose students comprised Cicero and Julius Caesar), to the crude columns of the Temple of Pythian Apollo.

Muslim Library

Now known as the Acropolis of Rhodes, the site of This Early Hellenistic city of Rhodes stretches up the slopes of Monte Smith west of the Oldtown. Just a few of ruins are restored, including an elongated, tree-lined stadium from the 2 nd century BC. Steps climb from a theatre, used for lectures by the Rhodes School of Rhetoric (whose students comprised Cicero and Julius Caesar), to the crude columns of the Temple of Pythian Apollo.

Jewish Museum of Rhodes

The Jewish presence on Rhodes dates back to the 2nd century BC, though a influx of Jewish refugees in Spain caused the invention of a local’Ladino’ dialect blending Hebrew and Spanish. This fascinating museum, entered via the 1577 Kahal Shalom Synagogue, celebrates the foundation of the area through photos and documents, and mourns its tragic end using mass deportations to Auschwitz in 1944.

Mosque of Süleyman

Rhodes’ Old Town bears legacies out of its Ottoman past. Many churches were converted throughout the Turkish era, although most are now dilapidated along with more houses of worship were built by scratch. The most important is the pink-domed Mosque of Süleyman, beautifully situated at the top of Sokratous. Sadly, although Builtin 1522 to commemorate the Ottoman defeat of the knights, it had been revived in 1808 isn’t open to visitors.

Roloi Clock Tower

Commanding that the point in the Old Town, this sturdy clock tower provides a panorama. Dating originally from the 7th century, an explosion in 1856 damaged it, also rebuilt together with elements. Visitors climb 5 3 steep wooden actions to attain a low-ceilinged room with views. The entry fee includes a free drink in the pleasant terrace cafe below.

Panagia tou Kastrou

Round from the tourist area and Archaeological Museum, that 11th-century church retains its initial form, even after four centuries as a mosque and severe intrusion damage it’s currently basically a clear shell, used to display icons from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Visitors may wander walls that are hard contrary to town, into its courtyard.

Decorative Arts Collection

This tiny little museum consists of a large white-walled area, filled to the brim with everyday vernacular items from the 18th and 19th centuries. From pots and plates to painted and carved wooden panels, rugs and wallhangings, every thing is bursting with colour.

D’Amboise Gate

Place in the flank of the walls, also completed 1512 under the ruler of grand-master Emery d’Amboise, probably the approach into the Old Town is protected from two concentric towers created to withstand Ottoman cannons.

St Anthony’s Gate

The gate which leads into the Old Town near the palace, also an 200m walk in from the D’Amboise Gate. Italian troops entered Rhodes across the course in 1912, while the knights had their toolbox between here and St Catherine’s Gate.

Rhodes Aquarium

Standing alone at the island’s northernmost tip, the modest volcano of the newest Town is housed in a 1930s’ artdeco hydro-biological research station. A labyrinth of all sea-rock tunnels below the construction hold tanks inhabited by Aegean species such as octopuses, crabs, lobsters, scorpion fish and the newest invasive threat , lionfish.

Modern Greek Art Museum – Old Almshouse

In a prime spot in the top end of this previous Town, this small adjunct to the four-part Modern Greek Art Museum is easily confused for the entrance to the Sissitio restaurant where it shares a courtyard. Actually, though, the gallery occupies the disused church and also is useful for temporary exhibitions.

Kahal Shalom Synagogue

Built in 1577, and incorporating a floor that was fine, Kahal Shalom Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in Greece. A commemorative plaque honours the many Jews who perished under the Nazis. It’s still a place of worship and pilgrimage, although its former women’s gallery now homes the Jewish Museum of Rhode.

Liberty Gate

The busiest entrance to the Old Town, close to the sea front and Mandraki Harbour, Liberty Gate was constructed to function as a bridge into your shipyard. It had been augmented by two towers, destroyed by the Ottoman occupiers from 1910; exactly what you now see is just a reconstruction.

Municipal Art Gallery

Set on the upper floor with a grand gothic building, on your right as you go into the Old Town via Liberty Gatethis gallery is owned by the town’s four-part Modern Greek Art Museum. Its five bright rooms insure the range of 19th- and 20th-century Greek art.

Lighthouse of Agios Nikolaos

This landmark French-built lighthouse guards the entrance to Mandraki Harbour, at the location where some indicate that the Colossus of Rhodes once stood. It’s not available to People, although its ray could be seen from 18km away

Inn of Provence

Four coats of arms on the Inn of Provence Shape the shape of a cross. After Rhodes fell to the Ottomans, the building turned into a hammam (Turkish bath), while under German rule (1912–1943) it served as offices. It’s employed by the club of a women and as a house, Nowadays.

22 Best Tourist Attractions in Corfu Town, Greece

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Corfu Museum of Asian Art

Home to magnificent artefacts ranging from ancient bronzes to works in onyx and ivory, this exceptional museum occupies the fundamental portions of the Museum of St Michael and St George. One gallery gives a summary of jewelry, and showcases snuff bottles and jade carvings. The India section opens with Alexander the Great,’After Greece Met India’, and exhibits fascinating figures, including a schist Buddha. A section comprises Noh masks and stunning samurai armour.

The areas at which the palace sumptuous decor remains such as the Throne Room with its intricate trompe l’oeil murals, host temporary displays.

Palaio Frourio

Is composed by the Palaio Frourio. Before that enclosed within stone walls, the entire darkened city was cradled by it. A bridge crosses its sea-water moat.

Only parts with this huge website, which also holds after structures from the era, can be found to visitors; wander up to the light house around the bigger of the 2 slopes for superb perspectives.

Achilleion Palace

Place beneath a steep coastal hill 12km south of Corfu Town, the Achilleion Palace was built during the 1890s because the summer palace of Austria’s empress Elisabeth. The palace’s two main features are rising in geometrical flights, its decorated principal stairs, and also its sweeping garden terraces , which control perspectives.

There’s surprisingly little to watch inside, aside from mementos of Elisabeth, who had been imprisoned in Genoa at 1898, and of the German kaiser Wilhelm II, that bought the palace at 1907 and added its own namesake statue of Achilles Triumphant.

Liston

Corfu Town owes the photogenic Liston, the Arcade Game that Outlines the northern half of the Spianada, to the Venetians nor the British However to the French. Designed during the short haired job of Corfu (1807–14), its own compatible four-storey houses were built on Paris’ then-new rue de Rivoli. Even a procession of , see-and-be-seen pubs that are expansive sprawls under the arcade, open to Kapodistriou around the back and to the Spianada.

Mon Repos Estate

This estate 2km across the bay south of the Old Town was the site Palaeopolis, of Corfu’s most important settlement. More recently, in 1921the mountainous neo classical villa that now holds the Museum of Palaeopolis has been the birthplace of Prince Philip of Greece, that went onto wed Britain’s Princess Elizabeth (now the present Queen). Footpaths lead to ancient ruins through the forests, for example all those of a Doric temple atop a cliff that is coastal.

Corfu Living History

This town house has been remodelled to exemplify that the lives of a fictitious merchant family . Whilst in each room waxworks undertake small replicated movements enthusiastic guides create the experience fun and informative. The excursion has been enlivened by the free glass of 19th-century-style rose liquor visitors make to take to.

Antivouniotissa Museum

Home to an outstanding selection of post-Byzantine icons and artefacts, Our Lady of Antivouniotissa’s lovely Church has a role as church and museum. It stands below a short, broad stairway that climbs from shore-front Arseniou, and eyeglasses views outside towards wooded Vidos Island.

Municipal Art Gallery I

Try to obtain this gallery — it’s input from the exterior in the eastern side of the Palace of St Michael and St George. You’re going to be rewarded with a handful of icons. Consider the work of Pavos Prossalendis and Italian-influenced 19th Century father-and-son artists Spyridon.

Archaeological Museum

Built in the 1960s, Corfu Town’s Archaeological Museum has finally reopened after ten years of renovations. The end result of this work is a modern and well-lit museum (although some of the English labelling is somewhat hit and miss) housing some 16,000 pieces found round Corfu. The highlight of the fine collection is just actually a massive gorgon pediment (590–580 BC) from the Temple of Artemis on the nearby Kanoni Peninsula.

Vidos Island

Hourly boats from the previous Port create the 10-minute crossing to tiny, densely wooded Vidos Island ($4 reunite ), instantly offshore. The island would be your final resting place of many thousands of Serbian soldiers murdered during WWII. There is a monument to them here and additionally some buildings used by the scouts. The major attraction is always to roam in the 600m across the island to reach a few beaches that are appealing, although there is a taverna at the jetty.

Neo Frourio

The forbidding Neo Frourio is in fact a little younger than the Old Fort across the city. Surrounded by walls that crown the mountain in the western border of the Old Town, it too goes from your Venetian era. Climbing the stairway brings one to the entry, where passages and dank tunnels lead through the walls. The ramparts love wonderful views.

Church of Agios Spyridon

Pilgrims and. Also as frescoes, the modest basilica holds the remains of Corfu’s patron saint, Spyridon, a Cypriot shepherd. His body, attracted from Constantinople in 1453, is located in an ornate silver casket, also can be paraded through the town on festival days.

Greek Orthodox Cathedral

Corfu Town’s Greek Orthodox cathedral, or Mitropolis, stands Beneath a flight of steps. Festooned with ribbons, its spacious interior is full of treasures and icons. The most crucial may be that the human body of St Theodora, an empress.

Temple of Artemis

Among the many ruins from ancient Palaeopolis that lie dotted throughout the Kanoni Peninsula, probably the most crucial could be that the Temple of Artemis, sign-posted 500m west of Mon Repos over the trunk roads, but it’s seldom open to visitors. Dating from the 6th century BC, it was the origin of the enormous gorgon pediment at Corfu Town’s Archaeological Museum.

Museum of Palaeopolis

The Museum of Palaeopolis lies deep in the Forests Present in Mon Repos Estate, Assembled by the British at 1832. It’s all a bit rundown, but when you’re able to predict the dust you’ll discover interesting historical displays. A scale version, extending out of the town to the airport and Mon Repos, pinpoints the place of this early city of Palaeopolis and its temples, whereas the Town is shown by photos from the 1850s.

Menekrates Funeral Monument

A tiny circular tomb, assembled using stone slabs stands not far south west of the Old Town. It’s clearly visible from the street while not open to people. A 10-verse inscription distinguishes it as a monument to Menekrates, an ambassador from Corfu who died at sea, while the fabulous Lion of Menekrates, that was found nearby, is currently in the Archaeological Museum.

Corfu Reading Society

Even though there’s no obvious hint on this expansive cream-and-white villa, anyone is welcome to climb its outside staircase and settle with a book from the library of the Corfu perusing Society. Founded in 1836, the oldest cultural institution in modern Greece holds 30,000 volumes in lots of languages, mostly devoted to the Ionian Islands.

Corfu Philharmonic Society

Via battered photos old instruments and scores tells the story of Greece’s first-ever marching group, which plays regularly, and performed in 1896. Founded in 1840 by Nikolaos Mantzaros, author of the national anthem that is Greek, the Corfu Philharmonic Society presents music lessons for children in the afternoons.

Serbian Museum of Corfu

Housed at the Serbian Consulate, this little memorial informs of the way Serbia’s government and army, retreating from the Bulgarians throughout WWI, were invited by the French occupiers of Corfu to arrived at the island. Maps, combat plans and photos explain the whole thing, and how they fared during their three-year stay; it’s all curiously interesting, if rather easy to outsiders.

Byzantine Collection of Corfu

This gallery occupies one room of a former gatehouse within the Palaio Frourio. As soon as it’s not to be confused with the superior Antivouniotissa Museum, it does display some attractive frescoes and simple mosaics, while panels describe early history of Christianity around Corfu.

Banknote Museum

Fascinating, although somewhat specialist, the bank note Museum occupies the upper floors of everything was previously in 1840 the bank. It traces the story of the drachma before it was replaced with the euro in 2002, and comprises the largest-denomination note issued: a 100-billion-drachma note by the era of 1944.

Durrell Memorial Gardens

A fairly playground and flower garden dedicated to writer brothers Lawrence and Gerald Durrell (Gerald also became a world-renowned naturalist and conservationist), who, during their books describing their life in Corfu in the years prior to WWII, each, unknowingly, did a lot to put this island over the tourist radar.

25 Best Tourist Attractions in Thessaloniki, Greece

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Archaeological Museum

Macedonia’s pre history, Hellenistic and Roman periods have been charted in this wonderful museum, home to a number of the region’s leading archaeological discoveries. High lights include goldwork from various hoards and graves, and the Derveni Krater (330–320 BC), a huge, intricate Hellenistic bronze-and-tin vase indicated by intricate relief carvings of Dionysos, along side mythical figures, critters and ivy vines. The Derveni Papyrus, Greece’s oldest surviving papyrus bit (320–250 BC), is recognised by Unesco as Europe’s earliest’publication’.

Museum of Byzantine Culture

This fascinating museum has lots of treasures to Byzantine fans, plus simple explanations to introduce this long lived kingdom and its own culture to beginners. More than 3000 different objects, for example fascinating grave paintings, mosaics, icons, antiques and jewelry, are showcased with A-sides about life. You’ll be confidently discerning early-Christian from icons right away. Exhibitions might concentrate into the work of writer and Nikos Kazantzakis from satirical maps on such a thing.

Church of Agios Dimitrios

This enormous 7th century basilica honours the patron saint of Thessaloniki. There was, Dimitrios A Roman soldier murdered around AD 306 as of this Roman bath site by order of Emperor Galerius. The martyrdom website is now a crypt; Dimitrios’ stays devour a silver reliquary inside. The Ottomans made Agios Dimitrios a mosque, and plastered over frescoes that were again revealed after the 1913 reconquest. Five 8th-century mosaics survive, while the fire of 1917 of the city was damaging.

Church of Osios David

This tranquil little 5th-century church, once the katholikon (leading church) of the Monastery of all Saviour Christ of Latomos, is one of the most critical early-Christian sites in Thessaloniki. It contains rare 12th century frescoes and an extraordinary 5th-century palaces of Christ and the prophets Ezekiel and Habakkuk. Utterly magnificent, it had been covered up by the Turks throughout the church as being a mosque, and just rediscovered in 19-20.

White Tower

Thessaloniki’s iconic milestone , the White Tower that is 34m-high features a history as a prison and place of implementation. Built by the Ottomans in the 15th century, it was here in 1826 which Sultan Mahmud II massacred the garrison of rebellious janissaries (liberally Islamicised elite troops). 1 story goes that the structure was known as the Tower of Blood until a prisoner painted the tower in exchange for his independence in 1883, when it was renamed Lefkos Pyrgos (White Tower).

New Waterfront

Thessaloniki’s New water front is evidence that urban life cans improve through apt redesign of this space from. Recipient of many awards because of its own architects Prodromos Nikiforidis along with Bernard Cuomo, this 3.5km Walk Way extends out of the White Tower to the Thessaloniki Concert Hall. Completed in 2013, play, Thessalonikans has embraced it with total delight as the place to promenade, rollerblade, bike, eat ice cream or just enjoy conversation.

Monastery of Vlatadon

Believed to have been set up on the place where Paul Found in Thessaloniki, this monastery and a number of the greatest views of the city blend fascinating history. It is believed to have already been significant for Hesychasm, a contentious movement whose leading St Gregory Palamas, 14th-century proponent, is portrayed in a fresco here. It’s possible to learn more about the church, the grounds, a tradition of icons, and also an aviary.

Arch of Galerius

South of the Rotunda on Egnatia, the Arch of Galerius (AD 303) celebrates the eponymous emperor’s victory over the Persians in British scenes carved into the marble panels that face its own masonry center. Known everywhere as Kamara, this landmark is also the city’s key meeting spot. The Arch had four supporting pillars and four main, together with eight arches and gates, and a terrace — just a couple of the arches plus one encouraging arch is seen today.

Rotunda of Galerius

Back in A D 306 Roman emperor Galerius assembled this do me, comparable to the Pantheon of Rome and potentially thought because of his mausoleum. Marking the momentous coming of Christianity as the religion of Empire, the Rotunda became Thessaloniki’s very first church (Agios Georgios; see dragon-slaying St George above the doorway ). The Ottomans subsequently managed to get a mosque (hence the revived minaret), however as the Greek reconquest of 1912 it has functioned both sacred and secular purposes.

Eptapyrgion

A former Byzantine fortress re purposed like a prison by the Ottomans and just decommissioned in 1989, the Eptapyrgion (‘Seven Towers’) is just a grim reminder of Thessaloniki’s penal past, hailed from the Greek blues songs known as rembetika. Reached by a steep walk into the heights of Ano Poli, it’s totally preserved, allowing access to towers (where you will find 10), communal cubes and isolation cells, and demonstrating historical info and sprinkled artworks.

Thessaloniki Concert Hall

The m 2, certainly one of two water front buildings that house the high brow music landscape of Thessaloniki was created by japanese architect Arata Isozaki. It’s really a structure with impeccably geometry, using stone, glass and steel, and making the most of the city’s sea views and sun lighting. The M1 is a red brick arrangement the 2 work the M1 solid and compact and also the m 2 transparent and light. International and performers perform here. Check the web site for details.

Kastra

The kastra (castle) encloses Byzantine churches and timber-framed houses with overhanging upper storeys. Enjoy panoramic views from the tower by the southern edge of this Byzantine Walls, built to live sieges in the late 4th century BC. The walls were reinforced by emperor Theodosius they certainly were high and 5m thick. Once large stretches demolished, they burst until the 19th century. Appreciate the sunset over the city, together with students and locals’ views.

Thessaloniki Museum of Photography

This 1910 port warehouse introduces displays of contemporary and historical photographs in the only dedicated photography museum of Greece. Temporary exhibits rotate every four months or so, and the memorial organises PhotoBiennale, an global photography festival every even-numbered yearold.

Roman Forum

As immaculately presented as you’d expect of those Romans, this rectangular site was the centre of commercial and public Thessaloniki from the first to the 4th centuries. Substantially lower, you’ll nonetheless be able to produce outside roads, shops, baths, cloisters, an amphitheatre, fountains and more. Under Ground could be your very-worthwhile although little museum, which adds to the comprehension.

Villa Bianca

Certainly one of the most famed mansions of Thessaloniki, built in 1912 from Pierro Arrigoni for Sephardic entrepreneur Dino Fernandez Siaz, the WhiteHouse features baroque, Renaissance and art-nouveau elements, and it has been useful for several purposes down the many years. The latest can be just because just one site of the dispersed Municipal Art Gallery of Thessaloniki, displaying a group of paintings by 19thcentury Greek ace Nikolaos Gyzis, also icons and engravings. Temporary exhibitions diversify the attention.

Church of Agia Sofia

Candlelight on golden chandeliers pierces the gloom in this gorgeous 8th-century church, modelled on its İstanbul namesake. Among many 8th- and 9th-century mosaics is an image of the Ascension of Christ in the dome, as the frescoes are masterpieces of Byzantine devotional art. Built over a previous 3rd century church, it’s noteworthy for the cross-basilica style. Even the narthex and south aisle were used as a burial place for dignitaries from the 10th century.

Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki

This touching memorial has been placed in one of those many Jewish buildings to survive the great fire of 1917, the former office of Jewish paper L’Independent. The museum traces the city’s Jewish legacy from the 16th century through its own summit period of ingenuity and the Sephardic immigrations, until the community has been annihilated during the Holocaust.

Plateia Aristotelous

Built following the great fire of 1917 this is really where Thessaloniki looked off from its Ottoman and beyond aspiring into the projected urbanity of grand capitals, towards modernity. Imagined and created by French architect Ernest Hébrard, the idea was that this central square would serve the citizens’ requirement for leisure, commerce and wonderful sea views. 2 major buildings envelop the squarefoot, Electra Palace Hotel along with Olympion cinema, both built from the 1950s, and both utterly grandiose.

Church of the Panagia Achiropiitos

This basilica-style 5th century Byzantine church, built on baths and one of the earliest in Greece, has mosaics and frescoes. The name, meaning’made without hands’, refers to a miraculous 12th century appearance of the icon of the Virgin. The very first of the churches of Thessaloniki should be transformed into a mosque under Ottoman rule, a marble pillar marks its own transition over the side bearing the inscription’ Sultan Murad Conquered Thessaloniki at 833′, recounting the victory of Murad II in 14-30.

Palace of Galerius

Sprawling the souvenir shops and crêperies of Plateia Navarinou, the ruins of the 3rd- to 4th-century palace stay striking. You are able to descend or just peer within the hand rail to see that the living walls, columns, mosaics and infrastructure. What most attracts the site alive could be the Arched Hall, where exhibits, electronic recreations and videos communicate something of this type and scope of also the nearby arch and rotunda, although maybe not just the palace.

Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art

Perhaps one of the most respected modern-art associations in Greece, MOMus now shows over 2, 000 types of painting, sculpture, photography and art, and grew from a first bequest of all 30 modern masterpieces in 1979. While Greek artists like Opi Zouni and Angelos Skourtis get plenty of focus, but there are lots of treasures from other countries along with schools. A schedule of shows that are temporary augments the selection.

Modiano Market

The city’s largest indoor economy sits on former Jewish area Kadi’s ash, which burned down in the 1917 fire. The marketplace, which has taken his name and started in 1930 was designed by the builder Eli Modiano. Included in a glass roof, there are shops and tavernas here, and it’s a magical place. It’s closed for renovation.

Church of Nikolaos Orfanos

This early-14th-century church, one of the very beautiful in a city heavy with stunning examples, has superb (though age-darkened) frescoes, most dating to the church’s earliest days. The’orphan’ from the church name remains a puzzle: it might be a nod into an anonymous benefactor or become linked to some former orphanage nearby.

Monastirioton Synagogue

The single among Thessaloniki’s 4 5 pre-WWII synagogues owes its preservation to how it was utilized as a warehouse by the Red Cross. Spared by the Nazis, it formed a portion of their ghetto until 1943’s eventual deportations. It is actually a solemn space that is worth visiting.

Yeni Hammam

This former bath, an atmospheric arrangement has amazing acoustics. Today it houses a bar that’s gone into amazing lengths to turn the lovely old distance vibrant, and fitting for all nights of celebration and music.

30 Best Things to Do in Athens, Greece

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Acropolis Museum

This dazzling museum at the base of the Acropolis’ southern mountain showcases its surviving temples. The group covers the period to the Roman one, but the emphasis is based on the Acropolis of this 5th century BC, believed that the apotheosis of the artistic achievement of Greece. The memorial reveals layers of history — into the Acropolis itself, from ancient ruins under the construction , always observable above through paned windows. The restaurant offers superb views.

Produced by architect Bernard Tschumi with Greek architect Michael Photiadis started in ’09 after years of preparation .

As you enter the museum, the glass floor reveals that the ruins of an ancient Aztec neighbour-hood . These were uncovered throughout construction and had to be preserved and integrated into a brand new construction plan. In 2019, a department of those destroys exposed for closer inspection.

Parthenon

Built to be the pre-eminent monument of the Acropolis, the Parthenon epitomises the glory of Greece. Meaning’virgin’s flat’, it’s dedicated to Athena Parthenosthe goddess embodying their city’s stature and power. The largest Doric temple ever completed in Greece, the Parthenon took 15 years to build.

It was created by Iktinos and Kallicrates and completed in time to get the Fantastic Panathenaic Festival of 438 BC.

Built on its greatest ground of the Acropolis, the Parthenon had a dual purpose: also to function as new treasury also to house the wonderful statue of Athena commissioned by Pericles. It was built to the site of at least three earlier temples dedicated to Athena.

Acropolis

The Acropolis is the most significant site in the world. It stands sentinel visible from just about anywhere over the city. Sanctuaries and its monuments of Pentelic marble gleam in the mid day sun and take on a honey color as the sun sinks, while they stay brilliantly illuminated above the metropolis. A glimpse of the sight cannot fail to exalt your own spirit.

Because these monuments are inspiring , they are but faded remnants of the town of Pericles, that spared no expense the best stuff, architects, sculptors and artists were good enough for a city dedicated to the cult of Athena. It was a showcase others of marble , of enormous statues and lavishly buildings, some of bronze plated with gold and encrusted with precious stones.

The earliest monumental buildings were constructed here during the Mycenaean era. People lived before late 6th century BC on the Acropolis, in 5-10 BC the Delphic oracle announced it the sole province of those gods.

Kerameikos

This lush, tranquil website is named for its potters who settled it. It was used during the 6th century AD as a cemetery. The grave markers offer a feeling of ancient life; numerous marble stelae (tomb markers) are carved with vibrant portraits and familiar scenes.

The site was discovered throughout the construction of Pireos St in 1861; it sat on the banks of this Iridanos River.

Once inside, go to your little knoll where you are going to come across a plan of the website. A path leads directly to the best from the wall built by Themistocles at 479 BC, and reconstructed by Konon. The wall has been divided by the foundations of two gates; each is marked by miniature signs.

Ancient Agora

The Agora was ancient Athens’ heart, the hub of social, commercial, political and administrative activity. His doctrine was expounded by socrates here; in AD 49 St Paul came here in order to win converts to Christianity. The website today is just a lush toast, home to the grand Temple of Hephaistos, a fantastic tradition and the 11th-century Byzantine Church of the Holy Apostles, trimmed in brick patterns that mimic Arabic calligraphy. The greenery harbours lizards and birds. Allow about two weeks to see everything.

First constructed as a public site from the 6th century BC, the Agora was devastated by the Persians in 480 BC, but there was a brand new one developed in its place immediately. It was flourishing by Pericles’ time and proceeded to do so until AD 267, when it was destroyed by the Herulians from Scandinavia. The Turks built a quarter however that was created by archaeologists after midnight and excavated to Neolithic, Classical and, even in parts levels.

Byzantine & Christian Museum

This outstanding museum, based at the 1848 Villa Ilissia, offers exhibition halls, most of these underground, packed with spiritual art. The exhibits go charting the shift from early traditions to ones, and the flourishing of a distinguishing Byzantine style. Of course there are still icons but also delicate frescoes (some salvaged from a church and also installed on drifting panels) and more private greetings of lifestyle.

Benaki Museum of Greek Culture

In 1930 Antonis Benakis — a politician’s kid born in Alexandria, Egypt, at the late 19th century — endowed what exactly is probably the finest museum in Greece. Treasures that are impeccable are showcased by its three floors up to WWII. Especially gorgeous will be complete sitting rooms from Macedonian mansions and the selection of Greek theatres, as well as the icons, intricately carved and painted. Benakis had such a great eye that the agricultural tools are all beautiful.

National Archaeological Museum

Housing the world’s finest collection of antiquities within an metropolitan building, this tradition is one of Athens’ attractions. Supplying a perspective of history and art — dating from the Neolithic age to early spans comprise sculptures, jewellery, pottery, frescoes and artefacts found throughout Greece. The attractively exhibited displays are displayed mostly heterosexual.

Temple of Olympian Zeus

A cannot -overlook 2 points: it’s slap in the centre of Athens, and it is really a temple, even once the largest in Greece on.

Begun at the 6th century BC from Peisistratos, the temple was abandoned for lack of capital. Various leaders took a stab at completing it, but it had been made to Hadrian in order to complete the project in AD 131, hence carrying over 700 years in total to build. In fashion, Hadrian built not merely a statue of Zeus, but an among of himself.

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center

Sitting beneath a man-made slope above Faliron Bay, and protected by way of a’Magic Carpet’ roof covered with solar power panels, this magnificent Renzo Piano building, completed in 2016, is home to the Greek National Opera and the principal branch of this National Library. It’s surrounded by a gorgeous huge park and hosts a remarkable range of events and displays, a number which can be liberated.

Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Wealthy Roman Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife Regilla constructed in AD 16-1 this large amphitheatre. This had been excavated in 1857– both 5-8 and renovated in the 1950s.

Even the Athens & Epidaurus Festival holds drama, music and dance performances here in summer, and occasionally there are blockbuster pop concerts and other events.

Though it seats 5000 people In this vantage, it appears positively intimate.

Roman Agora

This was the market area of the city under Roman rule, and it inhabited a far larger area compared to existing site borders. It is possible to see a lot from beyond the fence, but it’s well worth moving in for a closer look at the well-preserved Gate of Athena Archegetis, the propylaeum (entry gate) to the marketplace, in addition to an Ottoman mosque and the ingenious and beautiful Tower of the Winds, across the east side of the website.

Museum of Cycladic Art

This exceptional personal museum’s 1st floor is dedicated to the iconic marble Cycladic figurines, ranging from 3000 BC to 2000 BC. Most are small, considering that their influence, though one is almost human size. The remaining part of the museum features Greek and Cypriot art dating from 2000 BC.

In general, there is an intriguing concentrate on how these objects were used, culminating in the 4th-floor exhibit, Scenes from everyday life in Antiquity, where objects are set in photo recreations of ancient scenes.

Church of Agios Dimitrios Loumbardiaris

At the foot of Filopappou Hill, this 16th century church might not be the oldest in Athens, but it’s definitely among the loveliest, with a thick wood roof, marble floors and the durable odor of walnut.

The interior is, adorned by A fresco astride his horse in a present copied from ancient images of Alexander the Great.

The churchyard, with bells and its terrace, conjures Japan — a touch by famous architect Dimitris Pikionis.

Pikionis applied his style that was precise to their back exterior wall, a bit of stonework’s removal.

Hadrian’s Arch

Even the Roman emperor Hadrian had a wonderful attachment for Athens. He embellished the city with infrastructure developments and many temples although he did his fair share of spiriting its artwork to Rome. As thanks, the people of Athens erected this populous monument of Pentelic marble in 131 AD. It stands to the border of one of Athens’ most busy avenues.

In ancient times, it burst across the road to the Temple of Olympian Zeus as well as beyond, the refuge of Pan close to the Ilissos River, long covered by pavement but emerging briefly from the great outdoors greenery past the temple. The inscriptions laud the new Roman age: the frieze that is shore reads,’This is the city of Theseus, Athens’, while the southeast frieze states,’That is perhaps not of Theseus, and the town of Hadrian’.

Museum of Islamic Art

This museum houses a substantial number of art while not particularly large. Four floors of a home screen, in ascending chronological order beautiful weaving, jewellery, porcelain and even a marble-floored reception room from a 17th-century Cairo mansion. Signage offers the detail about everything you are visiting. At the cellar, part of Athens’ Themistoklean wall is vulnerable. The rooftop cafe, using a Terrific view of Keramikos, has a beautiful mural: Imagine a Palm-tree by Narvine G Khan-Dossos.

National Garden

The former royal gardens, created by Queen Amalia in 1838, are a pleasantly unkempt park which produces a welcome dishonest refuge from summer heat and traffic. Tucked among the trees are a cafe, a park, duck and turtle ponds, and a tiny (if marginally dispiriting) zoo. The main entrance is based on Leoforos Vasilissis Sofias, south of Parliament; you could also input from Irodou Attikou to the east, or by the adjacent Zappeion into the southwest.

Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation

Founded in October 20-19 this new museum showcases the selection of contemporary and modern artworks owned by his wife Elise along with shipping magnate Basil Goulandris. Alongside pieces out of the likes of high artists including Cézanne, Picasso, Van Gogh and Giacometti are works from Greek painters like Vasiliou Parthenis, Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas, Tsarouchis and Moralis.

Museum of Greek Popular Instruments

Almost 1200 instruments were collected by A single ethnomusicologist . Head phones let visitors tune in to this gaïda (Greek goatskin bagpipes) and the wood planks which priests on Mt Athos use to telephone prayer times, one of additional clearly Greek sounds. Musical performances are held at the lovely garden in summer.

Panathenaic Stadium

With its rows of white Pentelic marble chairs this arena is a draw both for lovers of sports fans and contemporary design who would ever guess the roar of the audiences from millennia past. A ticket gets you an audio tour, entrance to a very small exhibit on the modern Olympics (mainly eyecandy games posters) and also the possibility to shoot your photo on a winners’ base.

The stadium assembled from the 4th century BC and restored for its first modern games in 1896 — was used as a place for its athletic contests. It’s stated that in Hadrian’s inauguration in AD 120, one thousand wild animals were forfeited in the arena. Later, Herodes Atticus re built in marble the seats.

TAF

Whether you would like an attempt of perhaps a beverage, then a smart design morsel or art, stay in a complex of 1870s brick structures. The central courtyard is actually a cafe-bar that fills with an young crowd, and the surrounding chambers act as DJ space galleries and an excellent souvenir shop. Events usually are free.

Stavros Niarchos Park

Athens is short on green distances, so this seaside park is actually a blessing. Covering a manmade mountain that integrates the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center’s roofing, this park has been designed with avenues cutting through plantings of sand, olive trees and other Mediterranean flora.

Additionally there is kids’ play areas, a backyard gymnasium and a whole lot more. You can sit in a seat and take in the sunshine, although A variety of free activities are put on.

Theatre of Dionysos

Even the tyrant Peisistratos introduced the annual Festival of the Great Dionysia throughout the 6th century BC, and held it from the planet’s first theatre, to the south slope of the Acropolis. The first theatre on this site was a timber structure, along with masses of people attended the contests, where people danced and clad in goatskins sang, accompanied by revelry and feasting. Drama as we know that it goes to such contests.

Tower of the Winds

This Pentelic marble tower over the Roman Agora, likely built from the second century BC, is both functional and beautiful. Devised by Andronicus, a Macedonian (Greek) astronomer, it’s an early time-and-weather station. Aligned with the four cardinal directions, all of its eight sides is just actually a compass point, each illustrated with a figure representing the end. Markers are visible below the reliefs, which was topped with a weather vane, probably a bronze figure of Triton.

Temple of Hephaistos

But on the western edge of this Ancient Agora, the Temple of Hephaistos, god of the forge, was encompassed by foundries and metal work shops. This had been one of those buildings of Pericles’ rebuilding method and is among the best-preserved Doric temples in Greece.

Lykavittos Hill

The 277m summit of Lykavittos –‘Hill of’ Wolves’, from prehistoric times, when it was wilder than it’s currently — provides best possible panoramas of the city and the Attic basin, nefos (pollution haze) allowing. Perched on the summit is your little Chapel of Agios Georgios, floodlit like a beacon over the city during the night. Walk up the trail by the very top of Loukianou in Kolonaki, or choose the 10-minute funicular railroad from the very top of Ploutarhou.

Industrial Gas Museum

It’s fascinating to follow the walking path that runs during the old gas-works at Gazi, in performance by 1862 before 1984. Industrial and provincial buildings out of the mid-19th century’s complex resemble giant art installations. Photos and elements offer a notion of what the works were like when in performance. Make sure to go the watch tower of this New water gas construction for a city view.

Agora Museum

Within the Ancient Agora, this museum is packed with archaeological finds, but will get uncomfortably packed in case a tour group is cycling through. It’s put from the glorious Stoa of Attalos, a two-storied portico replete with columns it restored from the 1950s and had been built by the king of Pergamum in the 2nd century BC.

Erechtheion

Although the Parthenon has been the most impressive monument of this Acropolis, it was more showpiece than working refuge. That role fell for the Erechtheion. Called Erechtheus, a mythical king of Athens placed the cults of Athena and Poseidon. It was that, so the myths told, the god and goddess had a competition for the town’s affections. Athena won by producing an olive shrub, although poseidon struck the ground building a garlic.

Areopagus Hill

This rocky outcrop beneath the Acropolis has great views over the Ancient Agora. According to mythology, it was that Ares was tried by the council of the gods to the murder of Halirrhothios, son of Poseidon. The authorities admitted his defence of justifiable homicide he had been protecting his daughter from advances.