Palace of Galerius — Attraction in Municipality of Thessaloniki

The Galerian Complex, the most important monumental group in Thessaloniki, was built at the turning-point of two worlds, the Roman and Byzantine. Its erection began in the late 3rd century-early 4th century AD, when the Caesar Galerius Valerianus Maximianus Galerius Valerianus Maximianus (293-311 AD) chose Thessaloniki as the seat of the eastern part of the Roman Empire.

During Early Christian times, important 4th century emperors occasionally stayed in Thessaloniki due to its significance and geographic location, situated between Rome and the New Rome-Constantinople.

Significant building remains of the complex came to light in excavations carried out during the second half of the 20th century. Some of these, like the Apsidal Hall and the buildings at the archaeological site in Navarinou Square, are visible and open to the public, though most have been buried due to the reconstruction of the historic city center.

In 2008, the archaeological site received an award from the European Union and Europa Nostra for the exceptional and exemplary restoration and conservation of its ruins, as well as the totality of interventions which transformed an abandoned site into a well-organized, educational one which functions as a pole of attraction in the heart of the...

2024: The site is open for visit, but not the apsidal complex next to it (its in the street above towards the Rotunda). Google Byzantine Legacy website for allot photo en information about the palace complex of Galerius and the Hippodrome that was once next to it. All things considered; the government does a bad job at maintenance and further excavation, but what you can visit is well worth the small fee of 6 euro. In Italy you would pay 15 each. Also, you pay for the museum at the Roman Forum which is closed, and will be closed for years till its restoration and reconstruction is finished, you can visit the museum part underground but thats it.

2022: Closed for restoration tough it was restored fully with EU subsidy in 2015, so it is not taken care of last period. Also closed, while it appeared to be open on both Google maps ánd on the information provided at the ticket booth. Read about it and Google it but don't visit till a long while after covid 19. A former personal member of the site told me in the Roman Agora that it will be closed for...

Like the Roman Forum, this archaeological site is amazing. A huge amount of excavation has been done to reveal the vastness of the emperor's palace and seat of power in the city. The fact that he made the palace his main base for his part of the Roman Empire resulted in Thessaloniki becoming a hugely important and powerful city in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Romans certainly knew how to impress its friends and terrify it's enemies and this palace would have achieved both objectives easily. The Palace was the centrepiece of a much larger complex which included the Arch and Rotunda (see separate reviews) but also encompassed a huge hippodrome, used for chariot racing and games, and other buildings. The Palace included a temple/basilica and, most importantly, the Octagon. This was Galerius' throne room and the excavations have uncovered enough to give you a strong flavour of what it must have been like in Roman times... just half close your eyes and let your...