40°38N 22°58E, pop (2000e) 1 021 000. Seaport and capital of Salonica department, Greece; second largest city of Greece; founded, 315 BC; capital of Roman Macedonia, 148 BC; held by Turkey, 14301912; base for Allied operations in World War 1; airport; railway; ferry to mainland and islands; two universities (1925, 1957); textiles, metal products, chemicals, cigarettes, agricultural trade, tourism; Arch of Galerius (297), 5th-c Basilica of Ayia Paraskevi, 9th-c Basilica of Ayios Dimitrios; carnival (Feb), Navy Week (JunJul), international trade fair (Sep), song festival and film festival (Sep).
Coordinates: 40°38′N 22°57′E
| Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη) | |
|---|---|
| Seal of Thessaloniki | |
| Coordinates | 40°38′ N 22°57′ E |
| Country | Greece |
| Periphery | Central Macedonia |
| Prefecture | Thessaloniki |
| Population | 363,987 source (2001) |
| Metropolitan area population | 809,457 |
| Area | 17.8 km² |
| Population density | 20,449 /km² |
| Elevation | 20 m |
| Postal code | 53x xx, 54x xx, 55x xx, 56x xx |
| Area code | (GR=+30)2310 (older 0310,031) |
| Licence plate code | Ν |
| Mayor | Vasilios Papageorgopoulos |
| Website | thessalonikicity.gr |
Thessaloniki, (Greek: Θεσσαλονίκη), is Greece's second-largest city and the capital of the Greek region of Macedonia.
Thessaloniki is a busy, vibrant city and it is Greece's second major economic, industrial, commercial and cultural center as well as a major transportation hub in southeastern Europe. The city is also famed for its bougatsa delicacy that can be found in special stores in just about every corner of the city.
History
Hellenistic era
The city was founded circa 315 BC by Cassander, the King of Macedon (Μακεδών), on or near the site of the ancient town of Therma and twenty six other local villages. So Thessaloniki means "The victory of the people that came from the land that used to be sea"
Thessaloniki developed rapidly and as early as the second century BC the first walls were built, forming a large square. It was, as all the other contemporary Greek cities, an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Macedon, with its own parliament where the King was represented and could interfere in the city's domestic affairs.
Roman era
After the fall of the kingdom of Macedon in 168 BC, Thessalonica became a city of the Roman Republic.
Due to the city's key commercial importance, a spacious harbour was built by the Romans, the famous Burrow Harbour (Σκαπτός Λιμήν) that accommodated the city's trade up to the eighteenth century;
Thessaloniki's acropolis, located in the northern hills, was built in 55 BC after Thracian raids in the city's outskirts, for security reasons. On his second missionary journey, Paul of Tarsus preached in the city's synagogue, the chief synagogue of the Jews in that part of Thessaloniki, and laid the foundations of a church.
Other important remains from this period include the Arch and Tomb of Galerius, located near the center of the modern city.
The quiet era followed until repeated barbarian invasions after the fall of the Roman Empire, while a catastrophic earthquake severely damaged the city in 620 resulting in the destruction of the Roman Forum and several other public buildings.
Despite this, the city quickly recovered, and the gradual recovery of Byzantine power during the tenth, eleventh and twelfth centuries meant that Thessaloniki entered a new golden age of peace and prosperity. The population of the city expanded, and according to Benjamin of Tudela, the city even had a Jewish community some 500 strong by the twelfth century.
The economic expansion of the city continued through the twelfth century as the strong rule of the Komnenoi emperors expanded Byzantine control into Serbia and Hungary, far to the north.
However, after the death of the emperor Manuel I Komnenos in 1180, the fortunes of the Byzantine Empire began to decline, and in 1185 the Norman rulers of Sicily, under the leadership of Count Baldwin and Riccardo d'Acerra attacked and occupied the city, resulting in considerable destruction.
At that time, despite the various invasions, Thessaloniki had a large population and flourishing commerce.
Ottoman era
The Byzantine Empire, unable to hold it against the Ottoman Empire advance, sold it to Venice, who held it until it was captured by the Ottoman ruler Murad II on 29 March 1430, after a three day long siege of the city.
Yet the city managed to remain the largest Jewish city in the world for at least two centuries, and of its 130,000 inhabitants at the start of the 20th century, around 60,000 were Sephardic Jews.
Modern era
Thessaloniki was the main "prize" of the First Balkan War, as a result of which it was reunified with Greece on October 26, 1912.
In 1915, during World War I, a large Allied expeditionary force landed at Thessaloniki to use the city as the base for a massive offensive against pro-German Bulgaria.
One consequence of the great fire was the fact that nearly half of the city's Jewish homes and livelihoods were destroyed leading to a massive Jewish emigration.
Early Christian and Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1988. Thessaloniki became the European City of Culture for 1997.
Thessaloniki is one of the most important university centers in Southeastern Europe and it hosts a large and vibrant student population coming from all over the country. The city features two state universities — the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the largest university in Greece (founded 1926) and the University of Macedonia, as well as the Technological Education Institute of Thessaloniki.
In June 2003, the Summit meeting of European leaders, at the end of the Greek Presidency of the EU, was hosted at the Porto Carras resort in Chalkidiki, instead of within Thessaloniki itself (as originally planned) due to some security concerns.
Mayors of Thessaloniki
Konstantinos Aggelakis (1916-1920) Petros Syndikas (1922-1926) Nikolaos Manos (1929-1930, 1934-1936) Charisios Vamvakas (1931-1933) Konstantinos Merkouriou (1937-1943) George Seremetis (1943-1944) Petros Levis (1945-1946) Christos Konstantinou (1946-1950) Pantelis Petrakakis (1951-1955) Minas Patrikios (1956-1959) Ioannis Papailiakis (1959-1964) Konstantinos Tsiros (1964-1967) Michalis Papadopoulos Thanasis Giannousis (1982-1983) Theoharis Manavis (1983-1987) Sotiris Kouvelas (1987-1990) Konstantinos Kosmopoulos (1990-1999) Vasilios Papageorgopoulos (1999- )Landmarks
The White Tower of Thessaloniki (Lefkos Pyrgos), widely regarded as the symbol of the city. The Upper Town or 'Ano Poli' is what remains of Ottoman Thessaloniki, beautiful wooden houses overhang the winding streets all the way up to the Eptapyrgio at the top of the city. in the Karabournaki area, in Eastern Thessaloniki The modern Concert Hall of Thessaloniki in the East side of the city, near the Posidonion sports center.Museums
Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki (Museo Djudio de Salonik) Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art State Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki housing an important collection of 1275 Russian avant-garde works of art, collected by George Costakis Macedonia-Thrace Folklore and Ethnological Museum, housed in the G. Modiano Mansion Museum of Byzantine Culture Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum Thessaloniki Cinema Museum Thessaloniki Museum of the Macedonian Struggle Thessaloniki Sports Museum Water Museum of Thessaloniki White Tower of Thessaloniki, museum and monument Thessaloniki Science Center and Technology Museum Thessaloniki Museum of Photograpy Teloglion Foundation of ArtArchaeological sites
Crypt of Aghios Demetrios Agia Paraskevi, Thessaloniki, archaic cemetery The Ancient Agora of Thessaloniki Monastery of Latomos at Thessaloniki The Roman Palace and HippodromeMonuments
The Arch and Tomb of Galerius The extensive city walls Trigonian Tower and the Castra area The ancient Agora The Rotunda The Roman Palace and Hippodrome The church of Agia SofiaDemographics
Population Data
Population of the Municipality of Thessaloniki.
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 406,413 | - |
| 1991 | 383,967 | -22,446/-5.52% |
| 2001 | 363,987 | -19,980/-5.20% |
Although the population of the Municipality of Thessaloniki (table above) has declined in the last two censuses, the metropolitan area's population is still growing, as people are moving to the suburbs.
The Jews of Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki's Jewish community, was largely of Sephardic background, but also included the historically significant and ancient Romaniote community. During the Ottoman era, Thessaloniki's Jewish community comprised more than half the city's population and Jews were dominant in commerce until Greece took over the city in 1912. As a result of the Jewish influence on the city, many non-Jewish inhabitants of Thessaloniki also spoke Ladino, the Hispanic language of the Sephardic Jews, and the city virtually shut down on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath.
The beginning of the end for the Jewish community of Thessaloniki came after the great fire of 1917, when 50,000 Jews were left homeless. The Greek government, which had controlled Thessaloniki since 1912, enacted laws to Hellenize the city, and prevented many Jews from returning to their homes in the city (although it did compensate them for their losses).
Thessaloniki's Jewish community, continued to play an important role in the city up until the city was occupied by the Nazis in World War II. The Nazis murdered approximately 96% of Thessaloniki's Jews in the Holocaust, effectively ending the Jewish community of Thessaloniki.
Today, fewer than 1,000 Jews remain in Thessaloniki, although there are communities of Thessaloniki Jews -- both Sephardic and Romaniote -- in the United States and Israel.
Jewish Population of Thessaloniki
| Year | Total Population | Jewish Population | Jewish Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1842 | 70,000 | 36,000 | 51% |
| 1870 | 90,000 | 50,000 | 56% |
| 1882/84 | 85,000 | 48,000 | 56% |
| 1902 | 126,000 | 62,000 | 49% |
| 1913 | 157,889 | 61,439 | 39% |
| 1943 | 53,000 | ||
| 2000 | 363,987 | 1,000 | 0% |
Economy
Thessaloníki is a major port city and an industrial and commercial center.
Festivals
Thessaloniki International Trade Fair
The Thessaloniki International Trade Fair has a long history that dates back to 1926. It is hosted every September for 10 days at the 180,000 m² Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre, in the heart of the city.
Thessaloniki International Film Festival
The Thessaloniki International Film Festival has become the Balkans' primary showcase for the work of new and emerging filmmakers, as well as the leading film festival in the region.
Thessaloniki Documentary Festival
The Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, launched in March 1999, was inspired by Dimitri Eipides.
The images of 21st Century make a date every March in Thessaloniki with a film-going public that seeks an in-depth reading of the human landscape through a journey into the art of documentary.
Thessaloniki International Festival of Photography
The Thessaloniki International Festival of Photography (Photosynkyria) takes place in Thessaloniki from February to mid-April of every year, attracting the interest both of the photographic world and of the wider public while at the same time functioning as a meeting place for the Greek and the international photographic scene.
Photosynkyria was launched in 1988 by photographer Aris Georgiou and has been organized in the last 5 years by the Thessaloniki Museum of Photography, which annually appoints the artistic director of the festival. It's named after Aghios Dimitrios (St. Demetrius), that patron Saint of the city, and it has become an institution for the city and very popular with the local population.
Video Dance Festival
The Video Dance Festival started in 2000 at Thessaloniki as an international dance film festival, but soon it widened up to include more kinds of experiment on movement and the moving image.
DMC DJ Championship
The Greek DMC DJ Championship is hosted in Thessaloniki in the International Trade Fair Of Thessaloniki. In the 1980s construction begun on the 4-lane bypass of Thessaloniki, which was finally opened to traffic in 1988, running from the west industrial side of the city up to the other side of Thessaloniki to its southeast approaching Thermi and Halkidiki.
Air traffic of the city is served by Makedonia International Airport with both International and Domestic flights. Medical Centers Interbalkan Medical Center AHEPA University Hospital Papageorgiou Hospital Papanicolaou Hospital Hipokration Hospital of Thessaloniki George Gennimatas Hospital St. Demetrius Hospital Saint Lucas Clinic Kyanous Stavros (Blue Cross)
Foreign Consulates
Thessaloniki is home to several consulates:
- Consulate of Albania : 10 Odysséos Street, Tel. 2310 228138 - Consulate of Romania : 16 Santas Street, Tel: 2310 340088 - Consulate of Russian Federation : 5 Dimosthenes Street, Tel: 2310 257507 - Consulate of Serbia : 4 Komninon Street, Tel: 2310 244266 - Consulate of Sweden : 26 Komninon Street, Tel: 2310 284065 - Consulate of Switzerland : 47 Nikis Avenue, Tel: 2310 282214 - Consulate of Spain : 9 Victor Hugo Street(Victoros Hougo), Tel: 2310 2310 515391 - Consulate of Turkey : 151 Agiou Demetriou Avenue, Tel: 2310 248452 - Consulate of the United Kingdom : 21 Aristotelous Square, Tel: 2310 278006 - Consulate General of the United States of America : 43 Tsimiski Street, Tel: 2310 242900Sport clubs
Iraklis FC FC Playing in the First Division. Agrotikos Asteras - Second division PAONE- Third Division Thermaikos- Third division Anagennisi Epanomis (former ILTEX Lykoi, the clubs were merged) - Fourth division Makedonikos- Fourth division GS Ilioupolis-Fourth division PAO Dioikitiriou-Fourth division Omonoia Sindou-Fourth division Kabaniakos - Premier Amatuer Division of Makedonia Foinikas Polixnis- Premier Amatuer Division of Makedonia Ag.Georgios -Premier Amatuer Division of Makedonia AS Ampelokipoi -Premier Amatuer Division of Makedonia Niki Eykarpias-Premier Amatuer Division of Makedonia AEN Krinis -Premier Amatuer Division of MakedoniaCommunications
NewspapersMakedonia-Thessaloniki AgelioforosTelevisionERT3 - division of Elliniki Radiophoniki Tileorasi (ERT) TV Macedonia TV100 Apollon TV Best TV (local) TV Balkania Europe One Omega TV Orion TV Panorama TV Gnomi TV TV Thessaloniki Vergina TV 4E, Church TV Station |
RadioPanorama FM - 98.4 FM Star FM - 97.1 FM Laikos FM - 87.6 FM Mylos FM - 88.5 FM Thessaloniki Radio Deejay - 89.0 FM Zoo Radio - 90.8 FM Ellinikos FM - 92.8 FM Heart FM - 93.1 FM Radio Thessaloniki - 94.5 FM Eroticos FM - 94.8 FM Cosmoradio - 95.1 FM Athlitiko Metropolis - 95.5 FM ERT 3 95.8 FM - public - 95.8 FM ERT 3 102 FM - public - 102.0 FM Extra Sport - 103.0 FM Banana FM - 104.0 FM Rock Radio 104.7 - 104.7 FM 1055 Rock - 105.5 FM City International -106.1 FM Safari FM - 107.1 FM Republic Radio - 100.3 FM
|
List of notable residents
Manolis Anagnostakis, doctor and leftist writer Cahit Arf (1910 - 1997), Turkish mathematician Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881 - 1938), politician, founder of the Republic of Turkey Isaac Carasso, founder of Dannon Yogurt Company Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius, apostles to the Slavs. comedian| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Maximum. [°C] | 9 | 10 | 13 | 18 | 23 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 26 | 21 | 14 | 10 |
| Minimum temperature [°C] | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 6 | 2 |
| Rainfall (mm) | 40 | 38 | 43 | 35 | 43 | 30 | 22 | 20 | 27 | 45 | 58 | 50 |
| Record temperatures [°C] | 20 | 22 | 25 | 31 | 36 | 39 | 42 | 39 | 36 | 32 | 27 | 26 |
Photo Gallery
|
Partial view of Thessaloniki from Kalamaria |
One of old houses in the Ano Poli |
The entrance to the Eptapyrgio or Castra |
The Olympion Cinema; site of the Film Festival |
|
The Hagia Sophia Square |
Christmas lights in Aristotelous Square |
The Byzantine City Walls seen in Winter |
Overlooking Eastern Thessaloniki to Mount Hortiatis |
|
Makedonia Palace Hotel |
Night shot of the busy Tsimiski street |
The Kaftanzoglio Stadium |
Twinnings
(in chronological order)
Hartford, Connecticut, United States, since May 5, 1962 Plovdiv, Bulgaria, since February 27, 1984 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, since March 19, 1984 Limassol, Cyprus, since June 30, 1984 Leipzig, Saxony, Germany, since October 10, 1984 Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, since October 20, 1984 Bratislava, Slovakia, since April 23, 1986 Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, since May 3, 1988 Constanţa, Romania, since July 5, 1988 San Francisco, California, United States, since August 6, 1990 Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, since March 20, 1992 Alexandria, Egypt, since July 12, 1993 Tel Aviv, Israel, since November 24, 1994
User Comments Add a comment…