Jan 30, 2025

St. Nikolaos Orfanos Church Thessaloniki

A paradise on earth

"A must-see gem of Thessaloniki is a tiny church in Ano Poli (Upper City) district, hidden behind an enclosure. Its name is Agios Nikolaos Orfanos (St. Nicholas of the Orphans)."

A must-see gem of Thessaloniki is a tiny church in Ano Poli (Upper City) district, hidden behind an enclosure. Its name is Agios Nikolaos Orfanos (St. Nicholas of the Orphans). That name is probably connected with the philanthropic activity of St. Nicholas, a holy bishop, who both East and West are very familiar with. The church was built in the early 14th c. by the Serbian king Stephen Milutin, who married a Byzantine princess and, according to the written sources, erected a certain number of palaces and churches in Thessaloniki. Presumably, St. Nicholas was a monastery church.

Regarding the exterior, the visitor is welcome to admire the various decorative patterns of the masonry, a common feature of late Byzantine architecture. The courtyard, filled with greenery, is truly an earthly paradise, a place where your body and soul can rest. But the actual reason for paying a visit to that monument is the extant gorgeous pictorial cycle. Byzantine painting is a transcendental art, which aims to transfer the believers or any viewer, to the supernatural, divine world. And you can experience that feeling only if you visit a Byzantine church, like St. Nikolaos Orfanos! So, what are you waiting for?

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

About this spot

Irodotou 20

free

6971740814

Find your way with 95 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Thessaloniki guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Thessaloniki

Ss. Constantine Elena Chapel

Gothic art!

What makes this church unique are the neo-gothic pointed arches and the luminous stained-glass windows, which depict Saints and biblical scenes.

002-building
Art & culture

By

Thanasis (or Athanasios)

Koukopoulos

Mar 18, 2025

Choureal

Choux & profiterole

"Choureal" Thessaloniki will make you rethink what a profiterole is. My favourite, which I think about all week, is the cream-filled choux with caramel...

024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Giannis

Sykomanis

Mar 5, 2025

"Panagouda" church

A very personal spot

Particularly beautiful is the small dome with the depictions of Christ “Pantokrator” (Almighty) and the Apostles. And the neoclassical bell tower...

002-building
Art & culture

By

Thanasis (or Athanasios)

Koukopoulos

Feb 15, 2025

Hypapante church

An unknown treasury

The iconostasis is just incredible! Pay attention to the dragons beneath the Cross on the top, they allude to the story of Prophet Jonah...

002-building
Art & culture

By

Thanasis (or Athanasios)

Koukopoulos

Feb 11, 2025

St. Catherine's church

Heaven on earth

The church itself is dated to ca. 1300. The masonry and arrangement of the exterior are some of the most beautiful in the entire city.

002-building
Art & culture

By

Thanasis (or Athanasios)

Koukopoulos

Feb 11, 2025

Nea Panagia church

Another post-Byzantine gem

The current edifice was built in 1727. On the same site, there had been a 12th-c. Byzantine monastery, also dedicated to the Virgin that burnt down around 1690.

002-building
Art & culture

By

Thanasis (or Athanasios)

Koukopoulos

Feb 11, 2025

"Sotirakis" chapel

A Byzantine pearl

Even a tiny church in Thessaloniki can be a pearl! One of the smallest (if not the smallest of all) is the “Sotirakis” chapel. “Sotirakis” means little Sotiris.

002-building
Art & culture

By

Thanasis (or Athanasios)

Koukopoulos

Feb 11, 2025

Teloglion

The best spot for art lovers

If you are an art lover, this is your spot! The core of Teloglion’s collection is that of Nestor and Aliki Teloglou, a couple passionate about art.

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

By

Thanasis (or Athanasios)

Koukopoulos

Feb 11, 2025

Church of Prophet Elijah

A Byzantine diamond

The building was perhaps built in the middle or in the second half of the 14th century. That period was characterized by unprecedented artistic flourishing in the city.

002-building
Art & culture

By

Thanasis (or Athanasios)

Koukopoulos

Feb 11, 2025

Gorilas

Fine drinking & fun

"Gorilas" in Thessaloniki is run by an expert, world-class bartender, so you know the drinks are tantalizing for the senses. Also: don't miss the brunch!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Giannis

Sykomanis

Feb 11, 2025

Massalia stin Thessaloniki

Gourmet meze

"Massalia stin Thessaloniki" quickly became the talk of the town in 2014 when it opened. Today, this restaurant systematically exceeds my expectations.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Alexandros

Tsavdaroglou

Feb 10, 2025

Castello

An epic caffe!

In front of the promenade of Thessaloniki, there are innumerable cafes. The presumable question that a visitor may have is: “Which one should I choose?”. I have the answer! Of course, “Castello”.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Thanasis (or Athanasios)

Koukopoulos

Feb 9, 2025

Heading to Thessaloniki?

95 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to Thessaloniki this weekend?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

95 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

Our team loves Thessaloniki

Get to know our other Spotters from Thessaloniki

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
cached_response not present
78
Filters