Whatever you have in mind don’t miss the chance for a visit to Trigonio Tower. The view is simply breathtaking!
On the north of Thessaloniki lies the Upper or Old Town, the only part of the city that survived the big fire of 1917. The Upper Town will make you feel as if time stood still; you’ll immediately be stricken by its unique style, so different from that of the rest of Thessaloniki that will travel you back to the city’s Byzantine past.
Feeling the spirit of the Old City
Because of its location, it is where the city’s main fortress and other defensive structures (Eptapirgion, Trigonio Tower) were built during the Byzantine and Ottoman period. A large part of the Byzantine Walls that surrounded Thessaloniki have been well preserved, adding to the beauty of the city’s Acropolis.
Ano Poli can be reached on foot, if you don’t mind a bit of walking, or by bus (22, 23). Take a stroll in the graphic stone paved little streets surrounded by small beautiful ottoman houses and enjoy the amazing panoramic view of the city and sea – catching the sunset is to be sought-after.
Do not miss out on the numerous little taverns with traditional cuisine of Minor Asia and Macedonia that reflect the area’s history and cultural identity, at very reasonable prices. You can also get yourself some souvenirs of your visit in Thessaloniki in small tourist shops that are awaiting you!
Looking a bit more carefully at the Byzantine Walls you will be able to notice the limits of the old city even today because of the surviving fortification on several parts of it.. Take some time to visit the old Byzantine church of “Agios Nikolaos” and the “Monastery of Vlatadon”, both built in the 14th century A.D. They are some of the oldest buildings that can be found in Ano Poli.
During the last four decades, the intense residential development and the lack of proper urban planning threatened to destroy the historic character of Ano Poli. Fortunately today many important buildings have been either restored or renovated thus keeping the old spirit.
