Hotel Queen Olga

Municipal Art Gallery of Thessaloniki

by dimilag

In December 1986 the Municipal Art Gallery of Thessaloniki moved into its new
quarters in a building located at 162 Queen Olga Street, at the corner of 25th
of St. Built in 1905 by architect Xenophon Paionidis, and now the property of the
Municipality, it is fine example of the eclectic style of architecture that flourished
in Thessaloniki, especially in the then suburban district known as "the Towers"
or "the Villas", at the turn of the century. The older residents of the city know it
as the "Villa Mordoch", from the name of the family who occupied it from
1930 - 1940. The building is distinctive for its rich mixture of elements drawn
from the Neo-classical, Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau styles, and
which vary from one facade to the next, thus accentuating the pluralism of the
structure. Also of interest is the decorative paintwork of the interior - well preserved
in certain rooms - as well as the woodcarving.

Thessaloniki

by StefanosS

"my beloved home-city!"

The byzantine walls.

"White Tower (Lefkos Pyrgos)"

the landmark of Thessaloniki

Aristotle's Square (platia Aristotelous)

The port of Thessaloniki

Another view of the port.

The Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum hosts important findings of the area. Here is a cooper vessel used for mixing the wine. On its side there is a representation of Dionyssos and Ariadni with a group of their companions dancing in ecstasy. Dated at 330 BC.

A high art roman copy of an older statue: Aphrodite (Venus) dressed in a delicate robe revealing a perfect body. The original was of the 5th century BC.

A mosaic found in an ancient mansion, presenting Dionyssos and Ariadni, about 200 AD.

"The ancient Agora"

The ancient Agora.

A porticus at the ancient agora.

A small theatre (Odeon) by the ancient Agora.

Another view of the ancient agora.

"The church of Aghios Dimitrios"

Aghios Dimitrios is the patron saint of Thessaloniki. Here, the entrance side of the church.

A night view of the church.

An old photo of the church, just after the big fire that destroyed the centre of the city (August 1917).

The underground crypt of the church, that used to be roman public baths. Down there took place the martyrdom of St Dimitrios.

The holy place of the martyrdom of St Dimitrios.

An old wall mosaic of the 5th century AD in the interior of the church.

A wall-mosaic of the 12th century in the interior of the church: Saint Dimitrios is blessing the kids.

"Rotonda"

Rotonda is a Roman building, made rather as a mausoleum or temple of Zeus, early 4th century AD. On the next century was turned to Christian church and functioned as Cathedral of Thessaloniki for more than 1100 years.
On 1590 was turned to mosque by the Turks and after the liberation of Thessaloniki (1912) was returned to christian church. Today functions as church for the University ceremonies and as a museum.

The earthquake of 1978 damaged the monument and long restoration works were necessary, concerning both the static strength and the decoration of the building. Some other earthquake on the 9th century had already beaten heavily the church.

In the church, that today is dedicated to St George, there are parts of mosaics of the 4th century and paintings of the 9th century.

"Other light spots on the city"

The church of the 12 Holy Apostles.

Alatza Imaret, a Tuskish mosque.

Villa Allatini. Today is the Prefecture Office.

"Some architectural ornaments of the city"

...at Queen Olga str...

and a little further...

...at Evzonon str...

...at Dimitriou Poliorkitou str...

...at Sachtouri str...

An old photo of White Tower (colored by hand).

An old neighbourhood at the old "ano poli" (=upper city).

An old house at "ano poli"

Bezesteni, an old "mal" (market place), still in use.

The Ministry of Macedonia & Thrace (Diikitirio).

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki: The old building of Philosophy faculty.

Galerius' palace at Navarinou square.

"The Arc of Galerius"

The Arc of Galerius (Kamara), early 4th century AD.

The Arc of Galerius (Kamara), Galerius' palace and Rotonda were parts joined in an architectural set.

The Arc of Galerius today, after long restoration works.

A detail from Kamara: Galerius' soldiers fighting.

The "syntrivani" on the inauguration day.

Today it is restored and you can see it at Syntrivani square.

"Thessaloniki: satelite view"

The North is to the lower left corner of the photo.

Photo & Text by NASA
STS079-810-033 Thessaloniki, Greece, September 1996.
The second largest city in Greece, Thessaloniki is visible near the center of the image in this southwest-looking view. The city is located in northeast Greece on the Gulf of Thessaloniki, an inlet of the Aegean Sea. The city has excellent port facilities and is a major railroad, commercial, industrial, and financial center in the region. Two lakes are located to the east (left) of the city, the smaller Lake Koronia, and the larger Lake Volvi. The mouth of the Vardar River is visible entering the Gulf of Thessaloniki southwest (right) of the city.

Today's Weather Report



Useful links

City guide of Thessaloniki:
http://www.greece.gr/CITY_GUIDES/thes_useful_info.htm

Moni Lazariston
The cultural centre of the west part of the city:
http://www.monilazariston.gr/

The White Tower and the State Theatre.

Inside the White Tower a small museum hosts some outstanding valuable articles. Here is a couple of bracelets of gold and enamel, dated on 10th century AD.

A view to the west side of the city.

The statue of Alexander the Great at the seaside.