My trip around Balkans 2nd stop Greece Thessaloniki 2nd part

Hi Dear Steemit,

In this post I keep talking about my stay in Thessaloniki and continue my previous post written here . With my pass I have been afterwards to the Museum of Byzantine culture, another witness of Thessaloniki heritage.

The museum preserves ruins of early Christian churches with different variety of decoration it depends on social and financial situation more elaborate in the urban centre less embellished in rural and provincial areas. Decorations of St. Demetrius church, St.Paraskevi,Kazani.

Some example of part of cementaries found outside the walls of the city, pottery and ancient objects
The typology of tombs in the Thessaloniki necropolis during the Christian era reflecting which show the social and financial situation of its inhabitants. Mostly from 3rd to 6th century A.C plus funerary inscriptions, part of some burial complex, some tomb paintings and iconography.

The acceptation of Christian of burial customs such as jewellery, food, coins and various own objects.

Wall painting of different buldings, cube capitals, sculpture, some “pseudosarcofagus” and pottery.
Coins and hoards.

Monumental and icon paintings, coins, epitaph,some glass making and pottery

Before concluding my visit in this museum I would show two boards mentioning something which I found absolutely interesting and make us think or reflect.

That was early evening I went to my accomodation to relax and then go out and walking through the costal road in the center of city. I found a restaurant not very expensive with around a bit more than ten euro, meatball, feta cheese, one beer and tsipouro (a Greek liquor). By the way it was a very good quality food with good beer and liquor.

Some shops were open also in the night I was a bit tired but I wanted to see some nightlife.

The day after I lead to the archeologic site of the Roman agora, the largest one in Thessaloniki. I did not have to pay again because I had already the pass including the entrance also for Archeaological museum, White tower, Museum of Byzantine culture)

(The cryptoporticus)

In the first room some board show the key dates in the city history. From 315 B.C the foundation of Thessaloniki untill the German occupation 1941.
In the following rooms there are mostly objects and pottery. Description of the evolution of the city plan during the Reign of Macedonia till 168 B.C when Thessaloniki become under governance of Roman Empire.

It is told that in the end of 1st century B.C Thessaloniki was a commercial center between west and east and its population grow quickly and probably it was the time of the first Agora. Agora which is a Greek word and it means “gathering place” during Greek city-states free citizens met for business and partecipate social, political affairs.

The idea of pubblic bath what nowadays we may call “Spa”. Then still many pottery and object witness of the past of this site. The cryptoporticus (photo above) a pubblic area which probably had the function of a storage depot for the city.
The agora was abandoned with the establishment of Cesar Gallerius and the ascent of Theodosius and the end of Paganism in the Roman Empire. It ceased to operate in 5th century A.C. The Palace Gallerius become the administration center. Only shops in the southern side were still in operation untill 14th century.

After Ottoman occupation dated in 1430 a new neighbourhood were developed in the area. It is told that Jews, Christian and Muslim founded scores of intellettual and philanthropic foundations in Thessaloniki. Its street was a mix of various style, tastes and prayers. A cosmopolitan and evoluted city during last century under Ottoman empire.
The last section is dedicated to the witness of a large fire occured in 1917 which destroys an old centuries neighbourhood in Thessaloniki.

I found attractive the combination between archeological buildings, site and ruins with the more recent buildings. An important archeological site is the one of Navarino square and the Palace Complex of Gallerius built in 4th AD.

With board of a description of Pre Gallerian Roman phase 2nd-4th century AD. How excavation found the presence of mosaics during the 5th century AD.

In the 1960 were discovered the remain of the north chambers of the baths. How those baths worked.
I could not stay very long because it was very hot. I just have been to a bakery they suggest to me which was closeby to eat this delicious sweet with white chocolate and chestnuts cream

Just a break and then I keep walking around the city

In the last photo the Rotunda a circular domed building dated in 4th century AD. It was built as temple and mausoleum, It was converted during the Byzantine period into a Christian church and connected through an imperial road to the Gallerius triumphal arch which is nearby. During this period it was ornamented by mosaics considered masterpiece of Byzantine art. Some earthquake partially destroy this buildings which had a restoration afterwards. During Ottoman empire it was converted into a mosque untill 1912.

Only part of the eloquent decoration inside survived to the weather condition and the ravages of the time.

In the last photo the triumphal arch of Gallerius known as Kamara built between 298 and 305 A.D the defeat of Persians. It was the intersection between the Roman central road and the processional road which connect Rotunda to Gallerius palace.

I would conclude this second part of my stay in Thessaloniki with this photo

Follow me in the next post

Best Regards and Thanks for your attention

(All the photos are my own property)