Galerius Palace

At the centre of Thessaloniki, at Navarino square, among the tall buildings survive the ruins of the palace complex which was built in 305 by Galerius, one of the Roman emperors of the Tetrarchy. Galerius made Thessaloniki its capital and constructed a huge complex, administrative and religious centre, to which belonged the Rotunda, the triumphal arch and the palace.

The palace, unique in Greece, was an impressive two-storey building with an internal yard that was surrounded by stoas with mosaic floors. The rooms spread on three sides and were decorated with wall paintings. The complex was destroyed by an earthquake, probably in the 5th century.