GREECE, THE LAND OF MEN AND GODS.

Thessalonica was the sister of Alexander the Great. Her husband Kassander named the city after his wife. The city itself was founded in 315 BC on the site of the Ancient town Thermo.

Thessaloniki stands at the crossroads between Western Europe and the Eastern provinces. For many centuries it has been an international trading center, and to this date accommodates the international fair each September. The second largest city and port in Greece presents a surprising contrast between its new districts on the seafront its Roman and Byzantine monuments and its popular neighborhoods with their brightly painted houses. Thessaloniki presents a very different aspect from Athens, spreading towards the sea surrounded from hills covered with pines, speckled with colored houses. The pace of the city is slower than Athens.

Worth visiting in Thessaloniki:

• St. Demetrios’ church. The church hosts the tomb of St. Demetrios a martyr and patron of the city. It was completely restored in 1917 to reproduce the 7C Basilika.
• Arch of Galerios was a monument erected in the 4th Century BC in honor of the Roman Emperor Galerios.
• The Palace of the Galerios built of brick by Emperor Galerius around a rectangular courtyard.
• Lefkos Pyrgos (White Tower) was originally incorporated in the city’s defense system which surrounded the city.
• The Roman Agora (Shopping area).
• The church of Agios Georgios (Rotonda Style) erected in the 4th Century AD intended to be a mausoleum for Emperor Galerius, but he was not buried there. Later under Constantine the Great it was converted into a church by adding another section.
• The Archaeological museum which hosts glass sculptures and mosaics arranged in chronological order from prehistoric to the classical era. Moreover, the Treasures of Ancient Macedonia are housed in an especially built wing.
• The museum of ethnology and folklore. The items exhibited in the museum are related to cultural changes that took place in the area and handicrafts corresponding to the same period.

The ancient capital of Macedonia founded in the 4th century B.C. situated 40 kms NW of Thessaloniki. Nowadays, it is considered as the start point of the Marathon of Alexander the Great.

Monuments worth Visiting:
The site of Pella and the archaeological museum

It comprises of three peninsulas, like fingers into the Aegean Sea. The first and second finger, Cassandra and Sithonia respectively, are full of pine forests, hills and beaches. The third finger is Mount Athos, known as Holy Mountain thanks to its multiple monasteries.

Mount Athos

Mount Athos is one of the most protected sites in Greece as the monasteries there contain invaluable collections of icons and sacerdotal objects of the Orthodox Church. The access is forbidden to women.

Monasteries to be visited

• Moni Simonos Petras: Built in the 13 Century by St. Simon, it was remodeled by a Serbian Prince and after the damage suffered by fire it was completely restored in the 19 Century by the Russian government.
• Moni Vatopediou was built in 980 and contains 15chapels and a church. The library contains thousands of volumes from which 600 are Ancient manuscripts including a copy of Ptolemy’s Geography..
• Grand Lavra Is the oldest monastery built the 963 AD and the largest of all accommodating around 100 monks. Apart from icons and famous frescoes the monastery has a significant library containing 5000 volumes half of which are manuscripts. Amongst the treasures are the Crown and the robe of Nikiphoros Phokas.
• Iviron built in the 10th Century. It was originally dedicated to St. John the Baptist. The library contains many manuscripts and its treasures are classified amongst the finest in Mount Athos.

The city of Alexandroupolis is located along the coast, just a few kilometers away from the Turkish border. The city was founded by Alexander the Great. It is surrounded by hills and forests. Together with the Evros Delta, it is a gathering spot for ornithologists.

In the northwest corner of Thessaly, there is a group of huge rocks. Six monasteries are built on the top of those rocks. Meteora (greek word for “suspended in the air”) and is one of the most striking monuments in Greece.

A peripheral road takes you around the site offering a view from all angles on the Meteora, the monasteries at the top overlooking the plains down below.

Monasteries that can be visited:

• The Great Meteoron Monastery founded in1356 by St Athanassios at a height of 752 feet.
• Varlaam Monastery originally founded by a monk named Varlaam in the 19th Century and its erection was completed at a later stage thanks to two wealthy brothers from Ioanina.
• Agios Stephanos monastery was founded by a hermitage during the 12th Century. In 14C Emperor Andronicus Paleologus offered lots of valuable gifts and manuscripts to the Monastery.
• Holy Trinity Monastery was built between the 15thC and 17thC .It hosts plenty of artifacts and manuscripts. Unfortunately, it was looted during the German occupation.
• The monastery of Roussanou was rebuilt in the 16thC .Today it is accessible by two bridges instead of the mobile ladders.

At the heart of Pindos mountain on the way to Meteora, lies the old town of Metsovo. The town is full of old houses with wooden balconies and has a magnificent traditional color. During the winter it is an ideal destination for winter sports, but it is equally exhiting in all the seasons of the year.

The Museum of Popular Art is housed in the Tositsa residence. It was built by Baron Tositsa and the rooms are decorated with fine carpets, embroidered textiles and gold artifacts.

Built on the occidental shore of the lake Pamvotis, the capital of Epirus Ioannina is one of the most picturesque Greek cities. At the heart of this modern city, one will find an oriental quarter and an island covered with Byzantine churches. The city is famous for silverwork. Every paved path, every alley, every part of the city reflects its ample tradition. The multitudinous historical monuments and museums with together with the natural charm of the landscape shall seduce each visitor. The castle of Ioannina, the lake with the island, the cave, the fabulous ancient city with its exceptional market captivate the attention of the visitors.

This picturesque Macedonian city is built on a peninsula into the lake of the same name. The history of Kastoria is directly linked to that of the Balkans and Central Europe. There are many fine examples of Byzantine architecture. Near the city,one can visit the Prespa freshwater lakes, a protected area of great natural beauty.

Sites worth visiting:

• The Byzantine churches some of which were built in the 10th Century AD.
• The museum of Popular Art which hosts handicrafts of different eras.
• The Doultso Quarter.