Thessaloniki History Center, Thessaloniki Travel Guide

The Thessaloniki History Center (KITH), established in 1983 and housed in a building on Hippodrome Square since 1995, serves as a repository and promoter of the city's vibrant past. The building itself, a gift from Anastasios and Ioulia Billis, is an example of interwar architecture, adding to the center's historical ambiance.The center's mission is to gather, rescue, record, and preserve printed, written, and audio-visual materials related to the history of Thessaloniki and the broader Macedonia region. Its collections include historical documents, archives, photographs, and maps that chronicle the city's diverse history. The library boasts rare and valuable books, magazines, and newspapers covering various historical periods, from the Ottoman era to the 20th century.The KITH also plays a vital role in facilitating historical research, offering researchers valuable resources for studying local history. In addition, the center organizes exhibitions, lectures, and educational programs that connect citizens with their city's history and promote the preservation of Thessaloniki's cultural heritage. The center also publishes a scholarly journal titled "Thessaloniki", featuring original articles and books about the city and its history.Founded in 315 BC by Cassander of Macedon, who named it after his wife Thessalonike, the city has been a significant metropolis throughout various empires. As the second-largest city of the Byzantine Empire and a multi-ethnic metropolis under Ottoman rule, Thessaloniki's history is rich and complex. The History Center serves as a crucial institution for understanding and appreciating this layered past.