A brief history of our city

Thessaloniki is one of the most historical cities in Greece. Its establishment, in approximately 315BC, coincides with the beginning of the Hellenistic era.

The heir of the kingdom of Macedonia Cassander and husband of Thessaloniki, half blood sister of Alexander the Great and daughter of Philip II, founds the city by conjugating 26 townships scattered around the Thermaic Gulf and gives his wife’s name to this new city.

In the 2nd century BC the city is subsumed to Roman dominion, like the rest of the Greek and Asia Minor Hellenistic world. In 1432 Thessaloniki is conquered by the Ottomans who shall rule it for roughly five centuries, in parallel fashioning its multicultural and cosmopolitan character, the main communities being, aside from the Greek, the Jewish and the Turkish.

In 1912 Thessaloniki is incorporated in the Greek state. The Destruction of Asia Minor will bring more than 100,000 refugees to the city, who brought new problems but also infused a new breath by bringing with them their mores and customs from Asia Minor.

After the end of WWII begins a fast reconstruction of the city, completely reshaping it. Major building installations and other construction works lend to Thessaloniki the sight of a modern metropolis.

Thessaloniki again develops a multifaceted economic, commercial, cultural and artistic activity, its population increases at a rapid rate and the city now becomes the political, economic and social center in Northern Greece.

Photography: Haris Kakarouhas
Courtesy of GNTO