AMBASSADOR HOTEL

This 7,000^m2 archaeological site (Ανάκτορα του Γαλέριου/Anaktora tou Galeriou) houses the remains of the brick palace built in 298-299 for the co-emperor, then Roman emperor Galerius. It was identified in 1917 by French archaeologist and architect Ernest Hébrard. In the center, the peristyle courtyard (30 x 40 m) served baths, a sanctuary and apartments. To the southwest, the best-preserved structure is the throne room known as the Octagon (30 m in diameter). And to the southeast, beneath the terrace of the Café Baraka, a civil basilica (24 x 67 m) served as a reception hall. The visit is of little interest. On the one hand, you can enjoy an overall view from Gounari pedestrian street (stores and fast-food outlets) and Navarinou square (cafés and restaurants). On the other hand, the site is poorly promoted: random opening hours, rarely visible mosaics... So much so that the main visitors here are cats! Nevertheless, the site is important in the city's history: Galerius and his successors Licinius (308-324) and Constantine (310-337) made it a centre of power. Thessalonica was even tipped to become the "new Rome", before Constantine moved to Byzantium. Today, the palace is part of the "Galerius complex", with the apsidal hall (closed), the Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda to the north, via Gounari Street. To the east of the palace, rue Ippodromou preserves the oblong shape of the Roman circus, where chariot races and gladiatorial combats were held.