If there is one city in Europe that continuously gets no love and no publicity in favor of a capital city and a slew of paradise-like locales, Thessaloniki could be the ideal candidate. Athens dominates all talk of Greece of course and while without peer, it needs to make room now and then for the second city in the country. The Adriatic islands of Santorini and Mykonos, with several other pristine holiday resort destinations that herald cloud-free sunshine, are terrific, but their appeal is just part of Greece’s collective charm. Likewise with Crete, where one could spend a month and not get enough, so rich is the island in history, culture and gastronomy. But again, not to beat a dead horse, there exists some of this inherent appeal in Thessaloniki.

The capital of Macedonia, the region of Greece and not the independent nation, has a metro population over 1 million people. For Ottoman, Byzantine and Jewish heritage, the city is a notable hub and offers a wealth of architecural gems as a result. With a history that dates back to 315 BC, much like the rest of Greece, Thessaloniki is awash with near-matchless charm. From the time of Alexander the Great to the Crusades, from the Ottoman Empire to Nazi destruction in World War II, Thessaloniki has stood firm. You don’t have to be a history major to appreciate that. Here then, are 12 reasons to visit the preeminent Greek city.

7. The White Tower of Thessaloniki

It may sound like a set from The Lord of the Rings but the White Tower is the de facto city symbol of Thessaloniki and a national emblem of sovereignty over Macedonia. The irony is that the fortification was Ottoman in design and built by Suleiman the Magnificent’s army in the 16th century.

6. Thessaloniki International Trade Fair

Held every September, the paramount commercial event in Greece and indeed, for much of Europe, takes Thessaloniki by storm. The International Trade Fair is so important in fact, that the Prime Minister opens the event with a speech that conveys the government’s plans to the people of Greece for the next twelve months.

5. The Arch and Tomb of Galerius

Adjacent landmarks, known also as the Arch and Rotunda of St. George, that date back to the 4th century provide Thessaloniki with a superb UNESCO World Heritage Site. The elaborate, decorative arch is impossible to miss and the mosaics in the Byzantine rotunda represent some of the most remarkable mausoleum art in the world.

4. Hagia Sophia

The Church of Holy Wisdom, or Hagia Sophia, is the most important in Thessaloniki. Yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the church dates back to well before the 4th century when the city was a cradle of the Byzantine Empire. Incredibly intact, the ancient church has some notable interior mosaics that make it easy to imagine how grand it was over 1,500 years ago.

3. Aristotelous Square

One of the main squares in Thessaloniki, Aristotelous is a principal site for festivals, politcal demonstrations and generic pedestrian traffic. With a slew of fabulous landmarks nearby, the square deserves a visit. A famous vodka brand ran a magazine ad with a great aerial shot of Aristotelous that drew attention to the square’s famous bottle-shape.

2. Church of Panayia Halkeion

The facade of the Church of Panayia Halkeion is hard to describe, so original and peerless is the design. Byzantine again, UNESCO World Heritage Site again, the church is one of the best monuments in Thessaloniki. Built in the 11th century in close proximity to what is now Aristotelous Square, city denizens refer to Panayia Halkeion as the Red Church.

1. Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki had a notable Jewish population that over the course of time and generations, did much to develop the city in the areas of commerce and culture. World War II however, put a tragic end to the major contributions of the community. Nazi Germany took over the city and with a fine tooth comb, found and exterminated the vast majority of Thessaloniki’s Jews, who made up almost half the population at the time. The Ladadika district is the former Jewish quarter of Thessaloniki and represents a nice break from all the major landmarks. To learn more about the city’s great Jewish heritage, no place is better than the excellent Jewish Museum.

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