I would like to tell you a few things about my city Thessaloniki.
Thessaloniki is the largest city in area and population of Macedonia, as it is also its capital, and the second largest in Greece. The permanent population of Thessaloniki amounts to 317,778 inhabitants, and the permanent population of the Metropolitan unit of Thessaloniki amounts to 1,092,919 inhabitants
Was founded in 315 BC. by Cassander, one of the successors of Alexander the Great. Thessaloniki was the wife of Cassander and half-sister of Alexander the Great. The name of the city is a Greek word meaning victory over the Thessalians. The word was coined by Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, after his victory over the Thessalians and their incorporation into the Macedonian territory.
[[File:THESSALONIKI-Alexander_the_Great_overlooking_the_Mount_Olympus_-_panoramio_2.jpg|none|fullsize]]
(The statue of Alexander the Great on the beach of the city. Opposite is Mount Olympus, which was considered the abode of the gods in ancient Greece)

In the 2nd BC century the city was conquered by the Romans and became the seat of the Roman province of Macedonia.

(The Arch of Galerius is located in the center of the city. It was built to honor the Roman Emperor Galerius when he returned victorious to the city (around 306 AD) after his wars against the Persians).

(Details from the Arch of Galerius).


(The Rotonda is a 4th century domed circular building in Thessaloniki, similar to the Pantheon in Rome).

With the transfer of the capital to Constantinople, the city became an important center of the Eastern Roman Empire. It was in fact the second most important city of the empire and was called co-regent.

(The Byzantine walls of the city).


(Byzantine tower in the upper town).

After its conquest by the Ottomans in 1432, it remained in the Ottoman Empire for about five centuries.

(The White Tower of Thessaloniki is a 15th century Ottoman fortification, probably built between 1450-70.
Today it is a symbol of the city).

Thessaloniki was liberated from the Turks on October 26, 1912 during the First Balkan War. After battles the Greek troops captured the city and King Constantine made a triumphal entry into Thessaloniki. The Ottoman general of Thessaloniki, Hasan Tahsin Pasha, surrendered the city to the Greeks, unconditionally.
[[File:King_George_I_of_Greece_and_Crown_Prince_Constantine_enter_Thessaloniki,_1912.jpg|none|fullsize]]

Bonsoir George,

merci de ce petit exposé. En Grèce, au niveau histoire Antique, vous avez un passé très riche, peut être même le plus riche au monde avec Rome.

Thank you Stéphane. There were a lot of files and they got a bit mixed up.

Thanks for the write-up :) I liked reading it.

Thank you Claus. I was born and raised in this city. Those of us who come from Thessaloniki love our city very much. We also have a rivalry with Athens.