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Column of the Snakes: Thessaloniki's Silent Witness

Discover the Column of the Snakes in Thessaloniki, a vestige of Roman grandeur and a silent keeper of the city's historical secrets.

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The Column of the Snakes, a historical landmark in Thessaloniki, is a remnant of a Roman-era monument. Once part of a grand column possibly topped with an imperial statue, it has witnessed centuries of Thessaloniki's history and transformations. Today, it stands as a somewhat overlooked yet intriguing piece of the city's past.

A brief summary to Column of the Snakes

  • Thessaloniki, 546 32, GR

Local tips

  • Take a moment to appreciate the column's historical significance, imagining its original height and purpose in Roman Thessaloniki.
  • Look for the subtle details in the column's design, remnants of its past as a functional structure in the Ottoman era.
  • Combine your visit with a walk along Agiou Dimitriou street to explore other historical sites in the area.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The Column of the Snakes is located on Agiou Dimitriou street in Thessaloniki. From Aristotelous Square, walk north along Egnatia Street, then turn right onto Agiou Dimitriou. The column is a short walk down on the right, near the Public Power Corporation substation. The walk is approximately 15 minutes.

  • Public Transport

    Several bus lines serve the area around Agiou Dimitriou street. Check the OASTH city bus website or app for the most up-to-date routes and schedules. A single bus ticket costs €0.60 and is valid for 70 minutes. Validate your ticket once on board to avoid a fine.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are readily available throughout Thessaloniki. You can hail one on the street or use a taxi app. A short taxi ride from the city center to the Column of the Snakes should cost approximately €5-7 during the day. Taxi fares are metered, with a base fare of €1.30 and a per-kilometer rate of €0.74 during the day and €1.30 at night.

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Discover more about Column of the Snakes

The Column of the Snakes, located in Thessaloniki, stands as a silent witness to the city's layered past. This unassuming monument, found on Agiou Dimitriou street, is actually a fragment of what was likely a significant Roman-era column, possibly adorned with an imperial statue. The complete structure may have reached 15-16 meters in height. Originally, the column stood in what was known as Square of the Snakes, a name it acquired during Ottoman rule when it was called Yilan Mermeri (Marble of the Snake). Legend has it that snakes were drawn to the area, possibly due to the column's use as a gallows at one point. The column has also served practical purposes, functioning as a lighting column, supporting oil, gas, and electric lamps, and even a phone column. Over time, the ground level around the column has risen, burying its base and a former public fountain. In 1975, during road widening, the column was moved slightly to the north. While it may be easily missed by passers-by, the Column of the Snakes holds a unique place in Thessaloniki's history, bridging its Roman, Ottoman, and modern eras.

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