Rotonda

A breathtaking experience for the whole family! We visited the Rotunda with my wife and our two boys, and it was easily one of the highlights of our trip to Thessaloniki. The sheer scale of the dome is massive, and the ancient gold mosaics are stunning to see in person. ​We watched the 10-minute introductory video shown inside, which was very informative and gave us a great overview of the building’s transition from a Roman temple to a church and then a mosque. We also noticed that new audio tracks are currently being installed—the staff mentioned they will be available very soon, which will make the experience even more immersive for future visitors! ​It’s a very clean, well-organized site and a great way to introduce kids to history without overwhelming them. A must-visit UNESCO landmark!

It was recommended as one of ‘the’ places to visit by multiple people, but did not live up to those raised expectations. Definitely an interesting place, with parts of the mosaics still preserved. But to me not worth the €10 entry fee. The €10 drink on The Black Pearl felt more worth it combined with the boat ride (do with that personal view what you will).

The Rotunda of Thessaloniki left a strong impression on me with its sheer scale and timeless presence. Stepping inside, I felt the weight of history in its massive walls and quiet atmosphere. The blend of ancient structure and later Christian mosaics creates a unique sense of continuity, making it a powerful and memorable place to visit.

It's ok to see. 10€ is a bit much to ask, but the prices are high everywhere so it matches them. Srems like a big part of it is renovated, part of it is still under construction. May be with the audio guide it will be more interesting.

Inside is huge, niches for what were Ancient Gods & Goddess taken by the church early during the early christianity days. The ceilingnof the main Rotunda and two of the niches have mosicas depicting both early christian and pegan symbols. This making it easier for the masses of pegans to convert to christianity. Worth the 10 euro. Also in the courtyard if you have an eye for ancient architecture there is a base for a column that has a stone holder instead of a forged bracket to lock the column onto the base for stability.

Incredible history. Built by the Romans, converted church by the Byzantines, then into a mosque by the Ottomans, before finally returning to a church again in the modern day. It contains some of the oldest mosaics in the world. Each tile the size of a pinhead, and each one set at a different angle so they appear to glitter as light passes over them. Unmissable. If you are curious, the tower outside is actually a minaret built by the Ottomans, but retained even after its conversion back to a church.

The Rotunda of Galerius is a massive and stunning Christian church that is part of a complex made by the Roman emperor! It has been converted into many places to the point that it still has a minaret from the time it was a mosque!

Terrific - even though the entry fee is dear (€10) this was really good and worth the cost. It is fascinating - said to have been built for Emperor Galerius (why?) - it is quite a calm space to visit. In its day the decorations must have been magnificent. there is also an interactive display and videos to watch - which are pretty good. Recommended.