Greece is country that is full of history and archaeological finds. Athens is its capitol and his frequently visited. However, Greece also has another equally prosperous city. Thessaloniki is 2,300 year old city and is also the second largest in the country of Greece. It was deemed the Co-Reigning city during the Byzantine Empire as it was the co-capital alongside Constantinople. In order to visit this beautiful city rich in history be sure to start applying for a pasport if you don’t already have a passport in your possession.
Travel Documents
Passports act as permission for international travel. Without a passport international travel is prohibited. They are doled out by the Department of State after a rigorous application process. Although detailed the process for obtaining a passport is much easier than it used to be. Today online passport applications and technology make getting a American passport much more accessible.
History Of Thessaloniki
King Cassander of Macedon founded Thessaloniki circa 315 B.C.E. He chose the name Thessaloniki in honor of his wife Thesslonike who happened to be the half sister of Alexander the Great and the princess of Macedon. This city became the most prominent city in Macedon. It eventually became an important trading city and later the capital of one of the four Roman districts of Macedonia.
Archaeology
Thessaloniki is host to numerous infamous archaeological sites. The great city features UNESCO World Heritage Sites as well as other prominent sites. These sites include Roman baths, theatres that hosted gladiatorial games, the great throne room and many more.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
In addition to the many archaeological sites found in Thessaloniki there are many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These sites are mainly comprised of structures involved with the early Christian and Byzantine eras. Sites such as the Complex of the Roman Emperor Galerius, the first church of Hagios Demetrios are rich in history. There is also the Hagia Sophia of Thessaloniki, the Rotunda of Saint George, the Church of Panagia Chalkeon, and the Church of Acheiropoietos. There fifteen UNESCO World Heritage sites in Thessaloniki.
Monuments
The Ottoman Empire took control of Thessaloniki in 1430. This invasion lead to the conversion of all the churches to mosques. Through the conversion, the Great Thessaloniki Fire of 1917, and even the Second World War, these monuments have survived. Albeit with extensive damage, the monuments were eventually restored, and can be viewed today contributing to the fifteen world heritage sites in Thessaloniki.
Museums
There are numerous museums in Thessaloniki to house the artifacts and archaeological finds associated with the ancient city. The most prominent museums are the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki and the Museum of Byzantine Culture. Other museums include the War Museum, the Sports Museum, and the Photography Museum. In addition to these museums there are also many others that feature artifacts from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age. Thessaloniki also has the largest planetarium in Greece.