Our School in Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki. The city was founded in 315 B.C. by Cassander, king of Macedonia, and was named after his wife, a half-sister of Alexander the Great. A walk in the city center and the castles of the city will reveal its long and important history, with many remarkable Byzantine monuments, the Roman pillars, the Paleochristian and Byzantine churches, the Ottoman mosques, the synagogues, the Jewish markets and the elaborate mansions, where the well-off of the old times used to live.

Modern Thessaloniki, the “bride of the Thermaic”, as it has been named, is the second largest city and the “co-capital” of Greece, as well as the biggest city in Macedonia, with a population exceeding one million. It is a European, cosmopolitan city, which is built as a semi-circle, resembling an amphitheater in the Thermaic Gulf. In 1997 Thessaloniki was the European cultural capital.

The museums, the artistic and cultural events, the international exhibitions and the festivals, in combination with learning the Greek language, are just a few of the reasons why a student should visit the city. The place where it is located could be an excellent starting point for winter and summer excursions nearby. Some destinations worth visiting are the historical town of Vergina and the Olympus Mountain, the domain of the 12 gods, the mountainous village and the skiing center of Kaimakchalan Mountain and Chalkidiki. The latter is a major tourist attraction during the summer months, as it combines mountain and sea with beautiful gulfs, pretty islands and villages with noteworthy traditional architecture, peace and quiet or nightlife, history, as well as modern life. There is also a possibility, after contacting tourist agencies, to organize similar excursions.

Additionally, Thessaloniki is a city which stays alive throughout the day and night, offering a variety of choices for eating out and nightlife. Visitors should definitely try the wide variety of delicacies and the flavours of the cuisine of Constantinople, which is based on fish, vegetables cooked in olive oil, meat and rice and its trademarks are sweet and sour flavours, onion and tomato sauce, olive oil, cinnamon, sugar, lemon and dill. Every dish is served accompanied with ouzo or wine. As a dessert, usually fruit and sweet with syrup or custard are served, along with liqueurs and sweet wines.

The School  “Alexander the Great” in Thessaloniki is located near to the city center, at the address 62, Apostolou Pavlou str., Ano Poli, Thessaloniki, 54634.



 

  • HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

     White Tower WHITE TOWERThe White Tower is the most well-known monument in Thessaloniki. It used to be part of the city’s walls, which were demolished in 1867.
     Arch of Galerius ARCH OF GALERIUSThe Arch of Galerius, also known as the “Camara”, can be found at Egnatia street, at the centre of Thessaloniki.
     CASTLES - EPTAPYRGIO CASTLES – EPTAPYRGIOThe castles and walls of Thessaloniki were built during the founding of the city and were vital to its fortification.
     Rotunda ROTUNDASt George’s Rotunda is one of the most ancient monuments of Thessaloniki. It was built during the first decade of the 4th century A.D. by Galerius and was probably intended to be a mausoleum. Sometime later it was converted into a Christian church.
  • BYZANTINE CHURCHES

     CHURCH OF SAINT DEMETRIUS CHURCH OF SAINT DEMETRIUSSaint Demetrius is a church dedicated to the protector saint of Thessaloniki. It was primarily erected in 313 A.D.
     Monastery Vlatadon Monastery VlatadonThe Monastery Vlatadon (or Vlateon) is situated near the gate that leads to the Acropolis of the city. It was founded by Dorotheos Vlatis, the archbishop of Thessaloniki, between 1351 and 1371 A.D. It is currently the only active byzantine monastery in Thessaloniki.
     AGIA SOFIA AGIA SOFIAIt is a Byzantine church, dedicated to God’s wisdom (called “sofia” in Greek). It was built in the 7th century A.D. on top of the ruins of an older temple.
  • MUSEUMS

    Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki (www.amth.gr)
    Museum of Byzantine Culture (www.mbp.gr)
    State Museum of Modern Art (I) (www.greekstatemuseum.com)
    State Museum of Modern Art (II)  (www.visualarts.gr)
    Thessaloniki Center of Contemporary Art (www.cact.gr)
    Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art (www.mmca.org.gr)
    Thessaloniki Cinema Museum (www.cinemuseum.gr)
    Folklife and Ethnological Museum of Macedonia – Thrace (www.lemmth.gr)
    Museum of the Macedonian Struggle (www.macedonian-heritage.gr)
    Thessaloniki Olympic Museum (www.olympicmuseum-thessaloniki.org)
    Science Center and Technology Museum “NOESIS” (www.tmth.edu.gr)
    Municipal Art Gallery of Thessaloniki (www.mathra-sights.gr/hotspot.php?id=7&lan=el)
    Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki (www.jmth.gr)
    War Museum (www.imma.edu.gr/macher/museums/)
    Museum of Photography (www.thmphoto.gr)

  • LANDMARKS OF THE CITY

     ARISTOTELOUS SQUARE ARISTOTELOUS SQUAREThe Aristotelous Square in Thessaloniki was constructed in 1917, after the Great Fire that destroyed two thirds of the city. The square was designed by Ernest Hébrard.
     OTE TOWER OTE TOWERThe OTE Tower in Thessaloniki is a 76-meter-tall telecommunications tower. It was built in 1970 and was designed by the architect A. Anastasiadis. At the top there is a revolving café – restaurant with a magnificent view.
     MODIANO MARKET MODIANO MARKETThe Modiano Market is a meeting place at the center of Thessaloniki. It was constructed in 1908 by the architect Eli Modiano, after whom it was also named.
     STATUE OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT

     

    Οι «Ομπρέλες» στην παραλία Θεσσαλονίκης φωταγωγήθηκαν με ροζ χρώμα, ως σύμβολο αφύπνισης για την πρόληψη και την έγκαιρη διάγνωση του καρκίνου του μαστού. Η αστική, μη κερδοσκοπική οργάνωση ΑΕΛΙΑ (Αγάπη – Ελπίδα – Λύσεις για Ίαση και Αποκατάσταση), στo πλαίσιo των δράσεων Ενημέρωσης και Ευαισθητοποίησης για τον αγώνα κατά του καρκίνου του μαστού, σε συνεργασία με το Δήμο Θεσσαλονίκης να φωτίζει ροζ τις «Ομπρέλες». Θεσσαλονίκη, Τρίτη 21 Οκτωβρίου 2014 ΑΠΕ ΜΠΕ/PIXEL/ΜΠΑΡΜΠΑΡΟΥΣΗΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΗΣ

    ompreles_paralia_thessalonikis

     

     

    STATUE OF ALEXANDER THE GREATAlexander the Great was born in Pella of Macedonia, in 356 B.C.  His statue can be found at the seafront of Thessaloniki.

     

     

     

    THE sCULPTURE UMBRELLAS BY GEORGE ZONGOLOPOULOS is one of the most famous iconographic motifs of the artist. The sculpture that adorned the entrance to the 45th Venice Biennale, it was placed in 1997 in Thessaloniki beach close to the statue of Alexander the Great near the Macedonia Palace hotel within the city’s designation as European Capital of Culture.
    Except of the New Beach of Thessaloniki, Umbrellas found placed at the entrance of the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, and the entrance of the Old Psychiko (the lighthouse) in Athens. The area Psychiko Athens connected with Zongolopoulos because there was his house, which today is the seat of the Foundation which he founded shortly before his death in which he bequeathed his entire collection and intellectual property rights of the project .

  • ANNUAL EVENTS – FESTIVALS

    THESSALONIKI INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR

    Starting from 1926, when the first Fair took place, the aim of the International Trade Fair has been to support and promote Greek production and entrepreneurship, as well as to develop national economy in both national and international level. Every year, many collaborations take place, between various local and even international businesses. The Fair takes place every September and is always a very important event for Thessaloniki. www.tif.gr

    DIMITRIA FESTIVAL

    The Festival is organised every year in October by the Municipality of Thessaloniki. It is a celebration to honor Saint Demetrius, the protector and patron Saint of the city.  Since 1995, the modern Festival of Dimitria has been made part of the European Union of International Festivals, including, apart from religious, also various cultural events. October is associated with life in Thessaloniki and the Dimitria Festival, in the same way September is associated with the International Trade Fair.

    You can find more information at the website:

     www.dimitria.thessaloniki.gr

    INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

    It is organized every year in November and it includes films from new directors from all over the world.

    Since 1999, apart from the Film Festival, a Documentary Festival takes place every March.

    You can find more information at the website:

    www.filmfestival.gr

     

    OPEN THEATER FESTIVAL

    Every year during the summer many theater groups present their work at the open theaters of Thessaloniki, giving the opportunity to both locals and visitors to enjoy many remarkable theatrical plays.

    You can find more information at the website:

    www.thessaloniki.gr

     

  • USEFUL WEBSITES