Thessaloniki history

Origins and Foundation of Thessaloniki

The history of the city of Thessaloniki dates back to the Hellenistic era, when ancient Macedonia was undergoing a period of transformation following the campaigns of Alexander the Great. The city did not emerge spontaneously but was a large-scale urban planning project designed to become Macedonia's new "window" to the Aegean Sea.

Foundation and First Mentions
The city was founded in 315 BC by King Cassander of Macedonia. To create a new major centre, the ruler applied the practice of synoecism—the forced unification of 26 small settlements scattered around the Thermaic Gulf (including ancient Therma). Cassander named the city after his wife Thessalonike, the half-sister of Alexander the Great, thereby symbolically linking the new capital with the legendary royal dynasty.

Key Factors of Establishment
The rapid transformation of Thessaloniki into a metropolis of the ancient world was driven by three main reasons:

• Strategic Geography: The city was situated deep within a protected gulf, possessing an excellent natural harbour. This distinguished it advantageously from the old capital, Pella, whose port was gradually silting up with river deposits.
• Trade Routes: Thessaloniki became a natural crossroads connecting the Balkan Peninsula with the Aegean Sea, and Asia with Europe. Later, this status was cemented by the Roman Via Egnatia, which passed directly through the city.
• Political Power: Cassander built the city as his residence and a stronghold of power in the region that constitutes modern Greece today. Immediately after its foundation, powerful fortress walls were erected, making the city a crucial military bastion.

Early Cultural and Economic Features
From the moment of its foundation, Thessaloniki developed as a cosmopolitan and commercial centre. The merging of populations from different villages created a unique cultural environment. The city received broad autonomy: it had its own laws, a city council operated here, and local currency was minted. This attracted merchants and artisans from all over the Mediterranean, laying the foundation for future economic prosperity.

Key Milestones in the History of Thessaloniki

The history of Thessaloniki is a kaleidoscope of eras and cultures that have left their mark on the appearance and character of this great city. From Hellenistic kings to modern events, each period has written its own page in its centuries-old chronicle.

• 315 BC — King Cassander of Macedonia founds the city by uniting 26 settlements and names it after his wife Thessalonike, the half-sister of Alexander the Great.
• 148 BC — After the Roman conquest, Thessaloniki becomes an important administrative centre and the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia.
• Around 50 AD — The city is visited by the Apostle Paul, who establishes one of the first Christian communities here and later sends two epistles to the inhabitants, which are included in the New Testament.
• 306 AD — Demetrius of Thessaloniki suffers martyrdom in the city; he subsequently becomes the patron saint of Thessaloniki.
• 904 AD — The city suffers a devastating attack by Saracen pirates, who loot it and enslave thousands of inhabitants.
• 1204 — Following the Fourth Crusade, Thessaloniki becomes the capital of the Latin Kingdom of Thessalonica.
• 1246 — The city returns to the Byzantine Empire, re-establishing itself as the empire's second most important centre after Constantinople.
• 1430 — Thessaloniki is conquered by the Ottoman Empire under the leadership of Sultan Murad II, marking the beginning of nearly 500 years of Turkish rule.
• Late 15th Century — A large community of Sephardic Jews, expelled from Spain, arrives in the city, turning Thessaloniki into one of Europe's largest Jewish centres for several centuries, known as the "Jerusalem of the Balkans".
• 26 October 1912 — During the First Balkan War, the Greek army liberates the city, and Thessaloniki once again becomes part of Greece.
• 1917 — A catastrophic fire destroys most of the historic centre, leaving more than 70,000 people homeless and permanently changing the city's architectural appearance.
• 1997 — Thessaloniki is awarded the title of "European Capital of Culture", highlighting its rich historical and cultural heritage.

Stages of the City's Transformation

Throughout its long history, Thessaloniki has repeatedly changed its appearance, transforming from one type of centre into another. Key transformations in the economy, culture, and urban planning have defined its modern character.

• Byzantine "Golden Age": In the Byzantine era, Thessaloniki was the second most important city of the empire after Constantinople. It was a thriving economic and cultural hub with developed crafts and magnificent temples, many of which have survived to this day. It was during this period that Saints Cyril and Methodius, the creators of the Slavic script, were born here.
• Centre of Sephardic Culture: After the expulsion of Jews from Spain in the late 15th century, thousands found refuge in Thessaloniki, which was under Ottoman rule. This led to a demographic and cultural explosion: for several centuries, the city became the largest centre of Sephardic Jewry in Europe, known as the "Jerusalem of the Balkans".
• Reunion with Greece: In 1912, the city became part of the Greek state, which began the process of re-Hellenization. This event fundamentally changed the administrative, cultural, and national composition of Thessaloniki.
• The Great Fire of 1917 and Replanning: A catastrophic fire destroyed most of the historic centre, leaving over 70,000 people homeless. This tragic event, however, spurred a massive reconstruction. Based on the design of French architect Ernest Hébrard, a new city plan was created with a European grid of streets, wide avenues, and monumental squares, defining the modern look of the city centre.
• Foundation of the Aristotle University: The opening of the largest university in the Balkans in 1925 turned Thessaloniki into the main educational and scientific hub of Northern Greece. The presence of a huge student community continues to give the city a young and dynamic atmosphere today.
• Post-War Reconstruction and Industrialization: After World War II, the city was quickly restored. A period of active industrialization and economic growth began, reinforcing Thessaloniki's status as the country's second most important economic centre after Athens.
• European Capital of Culture: In 1997, Thessaloniki was awarded the title of "European Capital of Culture". This event attracted international attention to the city's rich heritage, facilitated the renewal of cultural infrastructure, including the opening of the Concert Hall, and gave a new impulse to its cultural life.

The architecture of the city of Thessaloniki is a living map of its centuries-old history, where each layer reflects the grandeur and drama of past eras. The urban landscape presents a unique blend of Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and European styles, creating a distinctive and eclectic appearance.

Roman and Byzantine Eras: Imperial Legacy

Founded in the Hellenistic period, the city reached its peak under the Romans and Byzantines. This period gifted Thessaloniki with monumental structures that defined its status. Key monuments of this time include:

• Roman Architecture (up to the 4th century AD): This period is characterized by large-scale public buildings. The brightest examples are the Arch of Galerius, built to commemorate victory over the Persians, and the majestic Rotunda, originally conceived as a mausoleum. These structures demonstrate the engineering mastery and imperial scale of Roman urban planning.
• Byzantine Architecture (4th–15th centuries): After becoming one of the main centres of Christianity, active church construction began in Thessaloniki. The architecture of this period is distinguished by the use of the cross-in-square system, complex brickwork, and magnificent mosaics. The Church of Saint Demetrius, Hagia Sophia, and numerous churches in the Upper Town (Ano Poli) are part of the UNESCO World Heritage list and serve as benchmarks of Byzantine architecture.

Ottoman Period: Eastern Motifs

From 1430 to 1912, Thessaloniki was under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, which introduced new features to the city's appearance. Many Christian churches were converted into mosques, and new Islamic religious buildings, public baths (hammams), and markets were erected. The Ottoman style is characterized by domed structures, arched galleries, and minarets. Iconic buildings of this era are the Bey Hamam (the oldest Turkish bath in the city), the covered market Bezesteni, and the Hamza Bey Mosque. The symbol of the city, the White Tower, was also rebuilt by the Turks and used as a fortification and prison.

European Influence and Modernism: Birth of the Modern City

A key moment in the city's modern history was the Great Fire of 1917, which destroyed most of the historic centre. This tragic event paved the way for a complete replanning of the city according to the design of French architect Ernest Hébrard.

• Hébrard's Plan: Instead of the chaotic development of the Ottoman period, an orderly network of wide avenues and monumental squares in the European style was created. The centre of the new layout became Aristotelous Square, opening out towards the sea.
• Eclecticism and Modernism: In the interwar period, architecture was dominated by Neoclassicism, Eclecticism, and Art Nouveau, which is especially noticeable in the Ladadika district and villas such as Villa Bianca. Later, during the post-war reconstruction period, Modernism became widespread, shaping the appearance of many residential and public buildings.

Today, Thessaloniki continues to develop, adding modern objects to its historical heritage, such as the famous "Umbrellas" installation on the waterfront, which symbolizes the city's dynamic and forward-looking character.

Distinguished Figures in the History of Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki, having been a major political, cultural, and spiritual centre for centuries, has been the birthplace or place of activity for many iconic historical figures. Their legacy has left a deep imprint not only on the history of the city but also on the entire world.

• Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki (died 306 AD) — A Christian Great Martyr and the patron saint of Thessaloniki. According to hagiography, he was the Roman proconsul of the city and secretly professed Christianity. He suffered martyrdom during the persecutions of Emperor Maximian, becoming one of the most revered saints in the Orthodox world. His relics are kept in the basilica named after him—the main temple of the city.
• Saints Cyril and Methodius (9th century) — Brothers born in Thessaloniki, Christian missionaries, and creators of the Slavic script. Coming from the family of a Byzantine military commander, they received a brilliant education. Their missionary activity and the translation of liturgical books into Old Church Slavonic laid the foundation for Slavic literature and culture, exerting a huge influence on the development of many nations.
• Gregory Palamas (1296–1359) — An outstanding Byzantine theologian, philosopher, and Archbishop of Thessaloniki. He is one of the major figures of the late Byzantine era and the developer of the doctrine of Hesychasm. His works had a colossal influence on Orthodox theology. The 14th century, largely thanks to his activities, is considered the "Golden Age" of intellectual life in Thessaloniki.
• Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881–1938) — The founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey. He was born in Thessaloniki, which was part of the Ottoman Empire at that time. The house where he was born is now a museum located within the grounds of the Turkish consulate in the city. Atatürk implemented radical reforms that defined the modern secular identity of Turkey.
• Aïda Aznavour-Garvarentz (1923–2017) — The sister of the world-famous French chansonnier Charles Aznavour. She was born in Thessaloniki to a family of Armenian refugees. Although the family soon moved to France, the fact of her birth connects the history of the great Armenian diaspora with this Greek city.
• Aristotle (384–322 BC) — The great ancient Greek philosopher and scientist. Although he was not born in Thessaloniki itself, but in Stagira on the Chalkidiki peninsula, his name is inextricably linked with the region and all of Macedonia. His teachings formed the basis of modern Western philosophy and science. The central square of Thessaloniki bears his name, underscoring the deep respect of the city's residents for the greatest thinker of antiquity.