Founded in 315 BCE by King Cassander of Macedon, Greece's second-largest city is also one of the most historical and culturally significant. Named after Cassander’s wife, Thessalonike, who was the half-sister of Alexander the Great, the city quickly grew into a major urban centre in ancient Macedonia.
Situated on the Thermaic Gulf of the Aegean Sea, Thessaloniki's strategic location made it a crucial hub for trade, connecting Europe to Asia along the famous Roman trade route, the Via Egnatia.
The city flourished under Roman rule, becoming an important administrative and military centre while boasting architectural marvels like the Roman Forum and the Arch of Galerius.
During the Byzantine era, Thessaloniki reached its cultural zenith, second only to Constantinople. It became a bastion of Orthodox Christianity, adorned with magnificent churches such as Hagios Demetrios and Hagia Sophia, which are now UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Known as the "co-reigning city" of the Byzantine Empire, Thessaloniki was a melting pot of cultures, blending Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine influences.
Even after the Ottoman conquest in 1430, the city retained its multicultural essence, home to Greeks, Jews, and Ottomans. Today, Thessaloniki stands as a vibrant modern metropolis steeped in history, offering a living connection to its glorious past.
The article first appeared in History Timelines.
READ MORE: The Byzantine Churches of Athens (PHOTOS)