Greece: Thessaloniki – Church of Saint Dimitrius

Church of Saint Dimitrius (Ayios Dimítrios)is the main church in Thessaloniki l, dedicated to the city’s patron saint, who was executed here in 306 AD. The church dates back to 4th century and Byzantine times, when Thessaloniki was the second largest city in the Byzantine empire. It is a mojo pilgrimage site (the relics of the Saint are preserved in a sarcophagus inside), as well as UNESCO World Heritage site and the larges church in Greece. The interior is lavish and ornate, with some mosaics dating back to the 8th century. The church was turned into a mosque under the Ottomans in the 14th century, and 90% of the mosaics were destroyed during this period.