Let's build the city of our future

Thessaloniki

11-15 of April 2022,

28th Thessaloniki Lyceum

Erasmus+

Welcome

To Thessaloniki

Enjoy!

What's

INSIDE

04-05. TRIGONIOU TOWER
Trigoniou Tower in the city’s Byzantine walls

ROTONDA MONUMENT
One of the most important Roman monuments in Thessaloniki

06-07. KAMARA
The Arch of Galerius

GALERIAN COMPLEX-ARCHED HALL
the most important monumental group in Thessaloniki

THE WHITE TOWER
The most famous monument and the symbol of the city

08-09. FUTURES THINKING WORKSHOP
held by Foresight & Tools Unit, PRAXI Network & Unesco Chair on Futures Research.

10-11. TRIKALA
A smart city's model

TRIKALA'S CITY HALL
presentation about the innovations of the Municipality

MATSOPOULOS MILL
A very important industrial monument

11-12.METEORA
An outstanding monastery complex on the top of dark sandstone rocks

12-13. VERGINA
the first capital of ancient Macedonia

14-15. MUSEUM OF ROYAL TOMBS OF AIGAI
The most lavish funeral ceremony of the historic times held in Greece.

THE ANCIENT PALACE OF AIGAI
the palace that was visible from the whole Macedonian basin

16-17. VERIA
A unique historical city

18-19. NOESIS
The Science and Technology educational park of Thessaloniki

20-21. FAREWELL PARTY

history

day 1

City

What to see in Thessaloniki

Trigoniou Tower in the city’s Byzantine walls

The Trigoniou Tower is the most famous and impressive tower of the wall. It was built in the late 15th century to prevent an invasion of the city and help during a siege. It is a great fortification project that was raised by the Turkish authorities after the occupation of Thessaloniki at 1430. Their purpose was to reinforce with an artillery tower, the sensitive point in which most invasions were accounted for.
The name Trigoniou (= triangle) Tower is due to the text of Ioannis Anagnostou, which refers to the stairs that the enemies touched on the Trigonio and thus invaded the city. There is also the view that the triangle was called the triangular cantilever of the northern city walls on which the gate of Anna Palaiologina had been opened. In the Trigoniou Tower, which is also called "the balcony of Thessaloniki", you’ll have the chance to enjoy the magnificent and imposing panoramic image of the city hugging the sea.

The Rotonda
The Rotonda (or Rotunda) is one of the most important Roman monuments in Thessaloniki. It stands just next to the Arch of Galerius in the city center and it is also known as the Church of Agios Georgios. This cylindrical structure was built in 306 AD by the Roman tetrarch Galerius, who intended it to be his grave. At first, it worked as a temple but it remains unknown to which god this temple was dedicated.
In 1912, the Greeks deliberated Thessaloniki and Rotonda was converted into an Orthodox church again, till 1979, when a strong earthquake caused serious damage to the structure. Presently, the Rotonda has been restored and works as a sculpture museum. Also, it frequently hosts various exhibitions. The Rotonda has a diameter of 24,5 meters and its walls are more than 6 meters thick, which has protected the monument from time, sieges and earthquakes. This is one of the oldest Orthodox churches and has been included in the UNESCO list of the World Heritage Sites.

City's

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

heart

City's meeting points

Arch of Galerius “Kamara”

The Arch of Galerius (known today as “Kamara”), is perhaps the most distinctive and interesting roman structure of Thessaloniki. It is also one of the most popular destinations of the city along with the White Tower for both locals and tourists. It was built to honor the Roman Emperor Galerius who returned victorious to Thessaloniki (about 306 AD) after the wars against the Persians. The triumphal arch was placed vertically on ancient Roman Egnatia Road, passed through the city, and was part of the Roman palace which stretched further southwest, and where Navarinou and Ippodromiou squares stand today.

Thessaloniki's meeting point

White Tower Museum
Τhe White Tower has housed the new permanent exhibition on Thessaloniki from the age of its founding in 316/15 B.C. to the present. The exhibition summarily presents aspects of the city’s history, which is distinguished by its long and unbroken historical presence. Over time, Thessaloniki never lost its “urban” and multicultural character.

Kamara's structure was originally an eight-pillared gateway that formed a triple arch faced with brick and marble panels with sculptural relief. Only three of the eight pillars and parts of the masonry cores survive. The two pillars that flank the central arched passageway retain their marble sculptures that depict Roman soldiers fighting against the Persians. The sculptured panels hold the interest of history buffs and art lovers alike. One panel shows Galerius attacking the Persian general Narses. Another depicts the imperial family, including Galerius’ wife, Valeria. The arch asserts the glory of the Roman tetrarchy and Galerius’ dominance and is located within the ruins of Galerius’ palace.

The goal of the exhibition is to “introduce” the city through a summary “narrative” of its history, above all to its residents, and to focus their interest on becoming further acquainted with it by visiting thematic museums and monuments.