Greece: Thessaloniki – Roman Rotonda
Roman Rotonda aka Saint George’s Church is probably the most famous attraction in Thessaloniki. It was built in the 3rd century as a mausoleum for the Emperor Galerius and was part of the nearby Galerius Palace and the Arch of Galerius. Galerius was never hurried here though. A century later, Emperor Theodosius converted to Christianity and made this a Christian church. For centuries, it served as the Cathedral of Thessaloniki. Under the Ottoman rule, the building was converted to a mosque, and a minaret is still standing as a relic of the Islamic period. In 1912, this again became a Christian church, Church of Saint George. Inside, it looks more like a mausoleum then a church – massive circular dome, similar to Rome’s Pantheon. The remaining mosaics are stunning and you end up with serious neck problems from starting up during the entire visit. This is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
