![Church of Panagia Acheiropoietos, Thessaloniki](/img/gd_attr/32458.jpg)
Church of Panagia Acheiropoietos, Thessaloniki
The Church of Panagia Acheiropoietos, located in the center of Thessaloniki, is a remarkable example of early Byzantine architecture. Dating back to the 5th century, it sits prominently on Agias Sofias Street across from Makedonomachon Square, adding to the city's rich historical heritage. Recognized for its architectural and cultural importance, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
Built between 450 and 470 AD, the Acheiropoietos is one of the oldest surviving churches in Thessaloniki. It has undergone renovations over the centuries. Originally named Panagia Theotokos during the Byzantine era, it was dedicated to Mary. Its current name, Acheiropoietos, was adopted around 1320, likely due to a miraculous icon of Panagia Hodegetria believed to have been created without human hands. Additionally, the church played a role in the veneration of Saint Demetrius, the city's patron saint.
Architecturally, the Acheiropoietos is a basilica with three aisles, measuring 28 meters wide and 36.5 meters long, featuring a distinctive wooden roof. Its structure includes a semicircular vault at the eastern end, a narthex with towers on the western side, and remnants of an exonarthex. The aisles are separated by columns, with galleries above the side aisles. Adjacent to the northern aisle is a chapel dedicated to Saint Irene from the Middle Byzantine period, accessible via a stairway in the northwestern corner. The main entrance is through a triple-arched tribelon, and it likely had a grand southern entrance connecting it to the main street of the Byzantine era.
Inside, the church boasts exquisite decorations dating back to its origins, including 5th-century Ionian capitals, green Thessalian marble columns, Proconnesian marble flooring, and remnants of decorative mosaics. Notably, the southern side features frescoes from the early 13th century depicting the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, while Roman-era bathhouse mosaics have been found beneath the north aisle.
Following the Ottoman conquest in 1430, the Acheiropoietos was converted into a mosque, known as the Old Mosque, by Sultan Murad II. Today, the Church of Panagia Acheiropoietos stands as a significant religious site and a cherished symbol of Thessaloniki's rich history and architectural heritage.
Built between 450 and 470 AD, the Acheiropoietos is one of the oldest surviving churches in Thessaloniki. It has undergone renovations over the centuries. Originally named Panagia Theotokos during the Byzantine era, it was dedicated to Mary. Its current name, Acheiropoietos, was adopted around 1320, likely due to a miraculous icon of Panagia Hodegetria believed to have been created without human hands. Additionally, the church played a role in the veneration of Saint Demetrius, the city's patron saint.
Architecturally, the Acheiropoietos is a basilica with three aisles, measuring 28 meters wide and 36.5 meters long, featuring a distinctive wooden roof. Its structure includes a semicircular vault at the eastern end, a narthex with towers on the western side, and remnants of an exonarthex. The aisles are separated by columns, with galleries above the side aisles. Adjacent to the northern aisle is a chapel dedicated to Saint Irene from the Middle Byzantine period, accessible via a stairway in the northwestern corner. The main entrance is through a triple-arched tribelon, and it likely had a grand southern entrance connecting it to the main street of the Byzantine era.
Inside, the church boasts exquisite decorations dating back to its origins, including 5th-century Ionian capitals, green Thessalian marble columns, Proconnesian marble flooring, and remnants of decorative mosaics. Notably, the southern side features frescoes from the early 13th century depicting the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, while Roman-era bathhouse mosaics have been found beneath the north aisle.
Following the Ottoman conquest in 1430, the Acheiropoietos was converted into a mosque, known as the Old Mosque, by Sultan Murad II. Today, the Church of Panagia Acheiropoietos stands as a significant religious site and a cherished symbol of Thessaloniki's rich history and architectural heritage.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Thessaloniki. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Church of Panagia Acheiropoietos on Map
Sight Name: Church of Panagia Acheiropoietos
Sight Location: Thessaloniki, Greece (See walking tours in Thessaloniki)
Sight Type: Religious
Sight Location: Thessaloniki, Greece (See walking tours in Thessaloniki)
Sight Type: Religious
Walking Tours in Thessaloniki, Greece
Create Your Own Walk in Thessaloniki
Creating your own self-guided walk in Thessaloniki is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Thessaloniki Introduction Walking Tour
Thessaloniki is Greece's second-largest city as well as its second major political, industrial, commercial, and economic center.
Historically, Thessaloniki co-ruled the Byzantine Empire along with Constantinople. But its history goes back even further than that. Cassander of Macedon originally founded the city in 315 BC. Cassander named the city after his wife, Thessalonike. Thessalonike... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Historically, Thessaloniki co-ruled the Byzantine Empire along with Constantinople. But its history goes back even further than that. Cassander of Macedon originally founded the city in 315 BC. Cassander named the city after his wife, Thessalonike. Thessalonike... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Thessaloniki Upper Town Walking Tour
Thessaloniki's Upper Town (Ano Poli) is the most ancient part of the city, aged approximately 2,300 years. Being also the highest part of Thessaloniki, dominated by the Acropolis with the Byzantine-/Ottoman-era fort known as Heptapyrgion (Eptapyrgio), from here on a clear day you can see way across the gulf, as far as Mount Olympus, some 80 km (50 miles) away, towering over the horizon in all... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Thessaloniki Waterfront Tour
The Mediterranean has always been an integral part of Thessaloniki’s appeal. The city's orientation toward the sea is largely due to the vision of Ernest Hébrard, the French urban planner and architect, who redesigned the downtown area after the devastating fire of 1917.
To really get the taste of Thessaloniki you need to visit not just its historical landmarks, but also those spots... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
To really get the taste of Thessaloniki you need to visit not just its historical landmarks, but also those spots... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles