Rotunda — Attraction in Municipality of Thessaloniki

The Rotunda of Galerius is also known as the Greek Orthodox Church of Agios Georgios, and is informally called The Rotunda. It is one of the most glorious and famous landmarks of the city of Thessaloniki which has also been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in 306 AD on the orders of the tetrarch Galerius, who was thought to have intended it to be his mausoleum. It was more likely intended to be a temple but is not known to what god it would have been dedicated. The Rotunda has a diameter of 24.5 m. Its walls are more than 6 m thick, which is why it has withstood Thessaloniki's earthquakes. The walls are interrupted by eight rectangular bays, with the south bay forming the entrance. A flat brick dome, 30 m high at the peak, crowns the cylindrical structure. In its original design, the dome of the Rotunda had an oculus, as does the Pantheon in Rome. The Rotunda was decorated by mosaics in at least two distinct periods between the 4th and the 6th centuries AD. Their creation was generally connected with sponsorships by emperos and high ranking secular and religious officials. They were works of unique artistic quallity, original iconography, and superb style which together with the mosaics of Rome and Ravena are among the masterpieces of Early Christian art. In addition they are considered to be the earliest mural mosaics in the Middle East, executed by a local mosaic workshop, They adorned the vaults over the recesses, the arched openings of the lunettes, and the dome. The decoration on the vault of the south recess gives the impression of a carpet: on the silver ground, around the gold cross in the center, are spread flowers, birds, stars and baskets of fruit. In the dome the remains of the richly decorated mosaic of the glory are rendered in bright colors. All that remains is the heads, hands and wings of three of the four angels. The representation of Christ in the centre is ruined. The zone underneath the dome is decorated with mosaics representing luxurious houses and...

The Rotonda (or Rotunda) is the most important monument in Thessaloniki. It stands just next to the Arch of Galerius in the city center and it is also known as the Church of Agios Georgios. This cylindrical structure was built in 306 AD by the Roman tetrarch Galerius, who intended it to be his grave. At first, it worked as a temple but it remains unknown to which god this temple was dedicated. In the 4th century AD, the Byzantine emperor Constantine converted it into an Orthodox church and many frescoes were painted inside, some of which survive today on the walls of Rotonda. In the 14th century, the Ottomans occupied Thessaloniki and in 1590, the Rotonda was converted into a mosque. In fact, a minaret was added to the building that has been restored and survives till today. In 1912, the Greeks deliberated Thessaloniki and Rotonda was converted into an Orthodox church again, till 1979, when a strong earthquake caused serious damage to the structure. Presently, the Rotonda has been restored and works as a sculpture museum. Also, it frequently hosts various exhibitions, music concerts etc. The Rotonda has a diameter of 24,5 meters and its walls are more than 6 meters thick, which has protected the monument from time, sieges and earthquakes. This is one of the oldest Orthodox churches and has been included in the UNESCO list of the World Heritage Sites. In fact, all Paleochristian and Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki were included in this list in 1988. Try to visit this beautiful monument in the mornings cause the square are full of junkies, and drug deals from algerians. The entrance costs 2 euros but first you will need to focus on the big history of...

The oldest monument in Thessaloniki, the Rotunda (also known as Agios Georgios) is a massive round building that was first a Roman mausoleum, then a Christian church, then a mosque. Its interior is decorated with Early Christian mosaics, outside is the city's only surviving minaret, and In the yard around the Rotunda are marble fragments from the Byzantine church. Very beautiful and intresting building with a rich history. Rarely where you can see these kind of buildings. The history of this building is very rich and interesting. The Rotunda was built by the Roman emperor Galerius (305-311) as part of a large palace complex in Thessaloniki. It was built of beautiful red brick. It was probably intended to be his mausoleum, but it was never used as such. After that period The Rotunda of Galerius was converted into a Christian church in the late 4th century or mid-5th century. The Ottoman Turks ruled Thessaloniki from 1430, and in 1591, Agios Georgios was converted into a mosque. After serving three religions, the Rotunda is now a deconsecrated museum. The interior was covered in glittering Byzantine mosaics, of which only a few fragments survive. Most of the damage was done by earthquakes over the centuries. They mosaics are Hellenistic in style and are some of the finest examples of mosaic work to survive from this period. The windows and the vestibules of the vaults at the base of the dome are decorated with mosaics whose wealth of themes with plant and geometric motifs and the splendor of colors impress the visitor. Nice experience and definitely...