UNESCO Monuments Route

Thessaloniki is an open Museum of Early Christian and Byzantine Art. In 1988 the UNESCO declared World Heritage Sites 15 of the ‘finest monuments’ of the city, representative samples of this period of its history. The Walls of Thessaloniki, the churches, monasteries and Byzantine baths, included in the UNESCO list, all creations of unique architecture and rare religious art, considered that have such and so high cultural importance, that it is necessary to be preserved in the historical memory of the entire humanity. We summoned up these monuments in the thematic ‘UNESCO Monuments Route’ to include them into your own list!

Church of Aghios (St.) Demetrius

Dedicated to the patron Saint of the city, the magnificent Basilica of Aghios (St.) Demetrius is one of the most important early Christian churches of Thessaloniki. At fi

Church of Saint Apostoles

It was built by the Patriarch Nephon I as a catholicon (main church) of a monastery in 1310. During the Ottoman period it was turned into a mosque and the murals were cov

Church of Saint Sophia

Almost untouched in time, the Church of Aghia Sophia, dedicated to Christ, the true Word and Wisdom of God, Aghia Sophia is for centuries spiritual beacon for Thessalonik

Church of Acheiropoietos

The impressive church of the Acheiropoietos owes its name to the worshipful icon of the Virgin Mary, which according to tradition is not painted by human hand ('Acheiropo

Church of Saint Aikaterini

The church is dated in late 13th-early 14th century and was served as a Byzantine monastery catholicon (main church). It belongs to the type of complex cross-in-square ch

Church of Panayia Chalkeon

The bright red color of the bricks on the outside of the church is the characteristic feature which gave to the Church the popular nickname 'Red Church'. This church was

Church of Saint Nikolaos Orphanos

A small treasure of religious art is hidden at the Church of Aghios Nikolaos Orphanos, which was constructed in the early 14th century as the catholicon of a byzantine mo

Church of Saint Panteleimon

Close to Rotunda and Galerius’ Arch (Kamara), you can find the church of Aghios Panteleimon, a spiritual center in the 14th century, a place where the remarkable Hellenis

Church of Metamorphosis Sotiros

Between the churches of Panagia Gorgoepikoou and Ypapantis, you can find the small church of Metamorphosis tou Sotiros with great architectural interest as the rate is th

Church of Profitis Elias

Built over a natural mound, this 14th century church, once dominated the city. It is unique in the city for its type: four-columned inscribed cruciform in italics dances.