Thessaloniki & Chalkidiki - Through The Centuries
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki, founded in 315 BC by King Cassander of Macedon, has a rich history that spans over two millennia. Built near ancient Therma, it quickly became a key city of the Macedonian Kingdom and later flourished under Roman rule. Thanks to its position on the Via Egnatia, it served as a major trade hub between Europe and Asia and briefly as one of the capitals of the Roman Empire during the Tetrarchy. Roman-era sites such as the Galerius Complex and Roman Agora still stand today.
In the 1st century AD, Paul the Apostle preached in Thessaloniki, establishing one of the earliest Christian communities. His letters to the Thessalonians, written after being driven out, became part of the New Testament.
Thessaloniki continued to thrive during the Byzantine period, becoming a cultural and commercial center filled with iconic churches like Agia Sofia, Panagia Chalkeon, and Agios Dimitrios. In 1430, after a brief Venetian interlude, it was captured by the Ottoman Empire, which brought significant demographic change. By the 16th century, Thessaloniki had the largest Jewish population in the world, largely due to Sephardic Jews expelled from Spain.
During the Ottoman modernization era, infrastructure such as the railway (1888) and a modern port (1896) enhanced its commercial significance. Liberated by the Greek army in 1912, the city was formally integrated into modern Greece in 1913. After a devastating fire in 1917, architect Ernest Hebrard designed a new urban plan, giving Thessaloniki its contemporary layout.
Today, Thessaloniki is northern Greece’s second-largest city and a dynamic cultural hub, known for its Byzantine monuments, vibrant food scene, and university life, making it one of the top Greek cities to visit.
Chalkidiki
The region of Chalkidiki, located in northern Greece, boasts a history dating back over 700,000 years, as shown by discoveries in Petralona Cave. Early civilizations such as the Thracians and Pelasgians lived here from around 4000 BC, while Greek colonists from Eretria and Chalkida arrived in the 8th century BC, founding city-states like Olynthos, Stagira (birthplace of Aristotle), and Mende.
In 348 BC, Chalkidiki was absorbed into the Macedonian Kingdom under Philip II, and later became part of the Roman Empire in 168 BC. Under Byzantine rule, many fortresses were built, and in the 9th century, Mount Athos was designated a monastic sanctuary. The founding of Great Lavra Monastery in 963 AD laid the foundation for the world-famous, self-governed monastic community of Mount Athos, still active today.
Chalkidiki was conquered by the Ottomans in 1430, and although an early uprising in the Greek War of Independence (1821) failed, the region was finally liberated in 1912 during the Balkan Wars. After the Asia Minor Catastrophe (1922), thousands of Greek refugees resettled here, establishing new villages and shaping the region’s identity.
Today, Chalkidiki is one of Greece’s top tourist destinations, celebrated for its golden beaches, luxury resorts, and unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. Whether you’re exploring ancient ruins, hiking to secluded monasteries, or sunbathing on crystal-clear shores, Chalkidiki offers a perfect mix of history and relaxation.
