Thessaloniki City Tour (15_UNESCO_Monuments)

Thessaloniki City Tour (15_UNESCO_Monuments)
From EUR €300.00
  • Duration: 5 Hours (approx.)
  • Location: THESSALONIKI
  • Product code: 15 UNESCO Monuments CATT 1

This tour will take us to:

Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessalonika

Founded in 315 BC, the provincial capital and sea port of Thessalonika was one of the first bases for the spread of Christianity. Among its Christian monuments are fine churches, some built on the Greek cross plan and others on the three-aisled basilica plan. Constructed over a long period, from the 4th to the 15th century, they constitute a diachronic typological series, which had considerable influence in the Byzantine world. The mosaics of Thessalonika’s monuments (such as the Rotunda, Saint Demetrius and Hosios David [Latomou Monastery]) are among the great masterpieces of Early Christian art.

The monuments of Thessalonika inscribed on the World Heritage List are public edifices of various functions, religious, secular, military, including the 4 km long city walls. Because of their outstanding design and major artistic value these monuments are included among the most significant of the Byzantine period. Throughout the Byzantine era, the city constituted a cultural centre that determined the developments not only in immediately surrounding but also in neighbouring areas. It played an active or even competitive role in artistic trends originating in Constantinople.The monuments of Thessalonika reveal a continuous artistic exchange with the greatest cultural centres of each era (Rome, Constantinople). The city itself was an important artistic centre, from its foundation and throughout the Byzantine period. Wallpainting ensembles, mosaics and frescoes, preserved in Thessalonika’s monuments, represent some of the major artistic trends, that have been developed in Byzantine monumental painting from its beginnings (the Rotunda, Saint Demetrius, Hosios David), through the first period after iconoclasm (Saint Sophia) and the Comnenian period (Hosios David frescoes) to its culmination known as the Palaeologan Renaissance (late Byzantine period). To this last period belong significant monuments such as the Holy Apostles, the chapel of Saint Euthymios in the Church of Saint Demetrius, Saint Nikolaos Orphanos, Saint Panteleimon, the Transfiguration of the Saviour, Saint Aikaterini, Prophitis Ilias, the Katholikon (main church) of the Vlatadon Monastery which reflect all the tendencies of the Palaeologan Renaissance.

All monuments are preserved intact, or as in the case of the city walls, with minimal losses. The boundaries are adequate to protect the fabric of the monuments and there are buffer zones for some of them. The continual use of the buildings (from their foundation until today) proved beneficial to their state of conservation, despite certain inevitable interventions.

There is a risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes while the fact that the monuments are all in a developing and changing urban area may lead to pressures from time to time.

All monuments, despite any interventions over the centuries, maintain all elements (architecture and decoration) of their initial phase. In the first quarter of the 20th century the monuments commenced to be restored and low quality recent interventions or additions were removed (e.g. the porch of the Church of the Holy Apostles and the buttresses of the church of Prophitis Ilias). Minor restoration projects that were always documented were carried out (e.g. the south dome of the narthex of the Church of Panagia Chalkeon). Exceptionally, a large scale restoration was carried out in the church of Saint Demetrius, after the disastrous fire of 1917. During the last 30 years small scale rescue restorations were generally carried out. The restoration and consolidation work as well as landscaping realised until now in the monuments of Thessalonika contributed to their maintenance and the enhancement of their authenticity.


Protection and management requirements

The properties are protected by the provisions of the Archaeological Law 3028/2002 “On the Protection of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage in general” and by separate ministerial decisions published in the Official Government Gazette. Protection and management are carried out by the Ministry of Culture, Education and Religious Affairs through the responsible regional service (Ephorate of Antiquities of Thessaloniki City). The specific terms of protection are defined in detail by separate ministerial decrees for each monument.The use of the Byzantine churches is granted to the Church of Greece (Saint Sophia, Saint Demetrius, Acheiropoietos, Saint Panteleimon, the Transfiguration of the Saviour, the Holy Apostles, Saint Aikaterini, Prophitis Ilias, Panagia Chalkeon) and to the Ecumenical Patriarchate (Saint Nikolaos Orphanos, Hosios David [Latomou Monastery], Vlatadon Monastery).Restoration of the roof of Hosios David (Latomou Monastery) and landscaping of the surrounding area in 2002, launched the last series of conservation interventions (3rd Community Support Framework). Subsequently the following works were carried out: a) landscaping of the surrounding area in sections of the walls of Heptapyrgio, of the byzantine Bath, of Prophitis Ilias, b) consolidation of the mosaics in Rotunda, Saint Demetrius, the Holy Apostles, c) consolidation works in Acheiropoietos, Rotunda minaret, Heptapyrgio, Tower of Trigonio, and d) exemplary restoration of Saint Panteleimon church, awarded the Europa Nostra prize. Heptapyrgion’s use has changed: it now houses the offices of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Thessaloniki City and two permanent exhibitions. Furthermore, Heptapyrgio is open to visitors with free entrance. It is also an area for outdoor events. The Tower of Trigonio is open to the public.

(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Unesco.org & Odysseus.culture.gr,

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 IGO)


Tour Itinerary

  • Pick up from meeting point you have asked (Hotel, Address or Cruise Terminal)
  • Byzantine Baths of the Upper Tow
  • Walls of Thessaloniki are the 8 kilometer-long. The city was fortified from its establishment in the late 4th century BC, but the present walls date from the early Byzantine period, ca. 390
  • ROTUNDA
  • Church of Hosios David
  • Church of Saint Demetrius
  • Church of the Acheiropoietos
  • Church of Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom)
  • Church of Panagia Chalkeon
  • Church of Saint Panteleimon
  • Church of the Holy Apostles
  • Church of Saint Nicholas Orphano
  • Church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour (Naos Metamorphoseos tou Sotíros)
  • Vlatades Monastery or Vlatadon Monaster
  • Church of Prophet Elijah (Naos Profíti Ilía)
  • Have Lunch where you choose (1 hour)
  • Return to Meeting point or where you want


EXTRAS that you can purchase while booking:

• Professional tour guide (for in the site)

• Lunch or dinner for each passenger


INCLUSIONS:

• Transportation from and to your central hotel in Thessaloniki

• Transportation from and to the cruise terminal of Thessaloniki Port

 

EXCLUSIONS:

• Admission fees

• Food and drinks

• Professional Site Guide (if wanted)

  


KNOW BEFORE YOU BOOK:

• Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult 

• All prices are for 1 Tour and for 1 to 3 passengers (4 on request) with a TAXI, 1 to 3 passengers with LUXURY Sedan & up to 7 passengers (8 on request) with a MINIVAN. If needed for bigger vehicles (BUS or MINIBUS) for more passengers feel free to contact us

• You can easily contact us on WhatsApp +306994805050 or just call us or text us.

•You must be able to walk on unpaved or uneven terrain, otherwise the driver will do their best for you to see most of the sites

• Departure time is between 7:00am-09:30am, based on your preference!

• Duration: 4~6 hours 

• Our drivers are professional, friendly and knowledgeable. Their priority is your satisfaction and safety. All our drivers speak English and are ready to help and to provide tips!

• Our cars are well-maintained, clean, and have free Wi-Fi. Baby chairs, wheelchairs and most phone chargers are available on request, at no additional charge 
 



Covid-19

We All Stay Safe


All our vehicles are disinfected right after a Tour or Transfer


Hand sanitizer for drivers and guests to use

In all times drivers can use a face mask

Passenger restrictions apply

compliant to national legislation's


CANCELLATION POLICY:

• You can cancel free of charge until 48 hours before your tour is due to start.

No refunds are allowed after this time.

• For "EXTRAS" you have purchased (Admission fees, Professional tour guides, Lunch or dinner etc.) You can cancel free of charge until 7days before your tour is due to start.

For any questions we will be more than happy to answer within 24 hours