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Ancient Agora Square: Thessaloniki's Roman Heart

Explore Thessaloniki's Ancient Agora, a historical landmark showcasing the city's Roman heritage and vibrant past.

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The Ancient Agora Square in Thessaloniki is a significant historical site that served as a bustling marketplace and the center of commercial, political, and social activities during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Constructed in the 2nd century BC, it was where merchants, artisans, and citizens gathered to trade goods and engage in civic life. Visitors can explore the restored ancient amphitheater (Odeion), Corinthian columns, Roman baths, and well-crafted mosaic floors.

A brief summary to Ancient Agora Square

Local tips

  • Visit early or late in the day to avoid crowds and enjoy better lighting for photos.
  • Consider purchasing a ticket to access the entire complex.
  • Take time to imagine life during ancient times while walking around the agora square.
  • Check out the Bit Bazaar, a flea market with antique stores, located near the Roman Agora.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The Ancient Agora is located in the city center, just north of Aristotelous Square. From Aristotelous Square, walk north towards Egnatia Street, then turn left onto Egnatia and then take the first right onto Aristotelous Street. Continue walking north for a few blocks until you reach Filippou Street. The entrance to the Agora will be on your left. This is a short walk of about 5-10 minutes.

  • Public Transport

    Many bus lines run through Egnatia Street, which is a short walk from the Roman Forum. Bus lines include 2, 2A, 8, 10, 11, 11B, 14, 17, 22, 27, 27A, 28B, 31, 37, 78N, 83, 83B, 83M, 83T. Get off at a stop on Egnatia Street near Aristotelous Street and walk north. The metro is ideal for the city center. The price for a basic ticket is 0.60 euro.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are readily available throughout Thessaloniki. You can find them at taxi stands around Aristotelous Square, the White Tower, and Ladadika. A taxi ride from Aristotelous Square to the Ancient Agora will be very short and should cost no more than the minimum fare, which is about €3.40.

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Discover more about Ancient Agora Square

The Ancient Agora, also known as the Roman Forum, is located in the heart of Thessaloniki and represents the city's Roman past. Discovered in the 1960s during development, the Agora was constructed in the 2nd century A.D. on the site of a previous forum from the Macedonian period. The Roman Forum was the administrative center of ancient Thessaloniki. The complex was arranged around a rectangular paved square. There were stoas on three sides, each of which consisted of a double row of columns and provided direct access to a surrounding zone of public buildings. Visitors to the Ancient Agora can explore the restored Odeon, Corinthian columns, Roman baths and mosaic floors. The Odeon, a theater, would have been used for musical performances and gladiatorial contests. The southern stoa stood on a vaulted substructure (cryptoporticus) - a double arcade which lay partly underground, making use of the natural slope of the land. To the south, along the whole of the cryptoporticus, lay a row of shops fronting the ancient shopping street which ran along the north side of present-day Philippou St. The Roman Agora was the economic heart of the city during the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. Excavations revealed mosaics, inscriptions, coins, and everyday items. The Roman Forum was built in the centre of the fortified Thessaloniki, exactly at the point where two main streets, the one orientated from north to south (cardo) and the other from east to west (decumanus), intersected. It constituted the economic, political, social and religious center of the city for many years.

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