Arch of Galerius

Another iconic landmark in the center of the city. it was built around the 4th C to celebrate Emperor Galerius’ victory over the Persians. The Arch is well decorated with detailed carvings. It is easy to find and free to visit. A good place to visit as part of walking the city sights.

An iconic landmark in the center of Thessaloniki, built in the 4th century to celebrate Emperor Galerius’ victory over the Persians. The arch is beautifully decorated with detailed carvings that tell parts of the story. Easy to find, free to visit, and a great spot to stop while exploring the city

The Arch of Galerius is one of the most important landmarks of Thessaloniki. It's impressive and a must see. It was built in the 4th century AD to commemorate Emperor Galerius’s victory over the Persians, the arch was part of a larger imperial complex that included palace and the Rotunda. The arch it's beautifully preserved and you can see the carvings depicting scenes of battle and imperial triumph, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of Roman Thessaloniki.

The Arch of Galerius is incredibly impressive—much more spectacular than I had imagined. In my opinion, it’s as striking as the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The scale, detail, and presence of the monument make it a must-see when visiting Thessaloniki. Built in the 4th century AD to commemorate Emperor Galerius’s victory over the Persians, the arch was part of a larger imperial complex that included palace and the Rotunda. You can still see beautifully preserved carvings depicting scenes of battle and imperial triumph, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of Roman Thessaloniki. The area around the arch is lively, with cafés and shops, yet the monument itself maintains a quiet dignity. It’s fascinating to see how it sits within the modern cityscape. An ancient structure that continues to command attention and respect. Take your time to walk around it and admire the details; it’s well worth a visit.

Look out for the intricate sculptures depicting stories of the old featuring Romans in togas, warriors in armour, horses and much more. There are cafes, juice bars and shops along the road leading to the Rotunda and a beautiful church in the square by the intersection.

The Arch of Galerius is an impressive historical monument dating back to the 4th century, built to commemorate Emperor Galerius’ victory over the Persians. Architecturally it is striking, with detailed reliefs that reflect its long history. Unfortunately, the site today feels a bit neglected — it was somewhat dirty, with many pigeons around, and the heavy traffic nearby makes it quite noisy. Still, it remains an important landmark and a fascinating glimpse into Thessaloniki’s Roman past, well worth a short visit.

Genius piece of late Roman monumental art. As a student of ancient history, it was exhilirating to see it in person. For those unaware, the reliefs are not just random scenes from war, but they actually tell the story of Galerius's victorious campaign against the Sassanid Persian empire. Try to locate the emperor on the reliefs :))

It's a huge building in the middle of the city. Quiet impressive, the way it just sits there because it is so big. You can't really miss it if you do t ride the metro everywhere from day 1. After taking a few photos this is a great place to have a little snack and go about your day.