Thessaloniki - The Co-Reigning Town

Greece is a country that boasts numerous archaeological sites and a rich history of architecture and culture. Athens is the capital of Greece. However, there is another city in Greece that is quite prominent. Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and is 2,300 years old. It is known as the Co-Reigning city as it was the co-capital alongside Constantinople during the Byzantine Empire. To visit this wonderful historic city be sure to start applying for a U.S. passport in time if you don’t already have a passport.

Passports

Passports act as permission for international travel. Without a passport international travel is prohibited. They are doled out by the Department of State after a rigorous application process. Although detailed the process for obtaining a passport is much easier than it used to be. Today online passport applications and technology make getting a American passport much more accessible.

History

King Cassander of Macedon founded Thessaloniki circa 315 B.C.E. He chose the name Thessaloniki in honor of his wife Thesslonike who happened to be the half sister of Alexander the Great and the princess of Macedon. This city became the most prominent city in Macedon. It eventually became an important trading city and later the capital of one of the four Roman districts of Macedonia.

Ancient Sites

The 2,300 year old history of Thessaloniki has given the city many historic and archaeological sites. In addition to the UNESCO World Heritage sites there are also many other prominent archaeological sites to visit in Thessaloniki. These sites include the Roman baths, gladiatorial theatres, and many more.

Protected Sites

Along with the many archaeological sites that Thessaloniki has to offer there are many UNESCO World heritage Sites. These sites are mainly surrounding the structures associated with the early Christian and Byzantine eras. Some of these sites include the Complex of the Roman Emperor Galerius, the first church of Hagios Demetrios. Also, the Hagia Sophia of Thessaloniki, the Rotunda of Saint George, the Church of Acheiropoietos, and the Church of Panagia Chalkeon. There are a total of fifteen world heritage sites in Thessaloniki.

Monuments

In 1430 the Ottoman Empire took control of the city, this lead to the conversion of the city’s churches to mosques. The sites survived however, and even survived the Great Thessaloniki Fire of 1917. During the Second World War Thessaloniki was bombed relentlessly. However, they have since been restored and to date Thessaloniki has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other city in Greece, including Athens. They have a total of 15 monuments.

Museums

There are numerous museums in Thessaloniki to house the artifacts and archaeological finds associated with the ancient city. The most prominent museums are the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki and the Museum of Byzantine Culture. Other museums include the War Museum, the Sports Museum, and the Photography Museum. In addition to these museums there are also many others that feature artifacts from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age. Thessaloniki also has the largest planetarium in Greece.

By applying for a United States passport or taking care of any other passport needs that may arise you can visit the great co-reigning city of Thessaloniki.

Tags: applying for a us passport, Greece, Thessaloniki