Roman Forum of Thessaloniki

At the centre of Thessaloniki, behind the church of Panagia Chalkeon, survive the ruins of the Roman forum, which was constructed in the end of the 2nd century. It was an area bustling with life, since it was the economic, administrative and religious centre of the capital of Macedonia. It included impressive public buildings, sanctuaries, stoas with stores and an odeum. Its entrance was impressive, at Via Egnatia, where today we see the Bey Hamam, the largest Ottoman baths in Greece, built in the 15th century by the sultan Murad II. A pleasant surprise for the visitor is the underground museum, which is located under the archaeological site.