Historical landmark, Church, Museum, Tourist attraction
Roman Forum of Thessaloniki
Unearthed by chance during 1960s redevelopment, the square that once anchored public life in Roman Thessaloniki now sits below street level among apartment blocks, with colonnades, underground shops, baths and a small theatre on view.
The story
The forum took its monumental form from the late 2nd century AD, when Thessaloniki, on the Via Egnatia, was among the Roman Empire's important cities. It brought together administration, commerce, social life and entertainment around a large square framed by colonnades and shops, and it stayed in use until the 6th century. The remains include a cryptoporticus of underground shops, marble-paved streets, massive walls, arches, two Roman baths, an Odeon and a Roman-era toilet. A museum on site displays sculptures, Roman glass, lamps and other finds, tracing the city through Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman times with English labels. Apartment buildings press close on every side, and the streets running around the perimeter look straight down into the ruins.
Good to know
TAGGG AI- ✦Walking the full perimeter gives good views down into the site, and much of it can be seen without going in.
- ✦The open-air grounds have been closed at times, including holiday weekends and outside the summer season, so check before going.
- ✦The museum can stay open when the grounds are shut, with sculptures, Roman glass, lamps and English labels.
