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?
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What makes this church unique are the neo-gothic pointed arches and the luminous stained-glass windows, which depict Saints and biblical scenes.
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Particularly beautiful is the small dome with the depictions of Christ “Pantokrator” (Almighty) and the Apostles. And the neoclassical bell tower...
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The iconostasis is just incredible! Pay attention to the dragons beneath the Cross on the top, they allude to the story of Prophet Jonah...
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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"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!
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"Massalia stin Thessaloniki" quickly became the talk of the town in 2014 when it opened. Today, this restaurant systematically exceeds my expectations.
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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”.
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