Hotels near Rotunda and Arch of Galerius

The Rotunda of Galerius (also called the Church of Agios Georgios) is one of Thessaloniki's 15 UNESCO-listed Paleochristian monuments. Built around AD 306 as part of the imperial complex of Roman emperor Galerius, the 24.5-metre-diameter cylindrical structure was converted into a church in the 4th century, a mosque in the 16th century (the only surviving Ottoman minaret in Greece is here), and back to a church in 1912.

The 4th-century gold mosaics on the dome are some of the earliest Christian iconography surviving anywhere. Entry is EUR 6. Just 200 metres south stands the Arch of Galerius (AD 298-299), a triumphal arch celebrating Galerius's victory over the Persians - free, in the open air. Together they form the city's Roman ceremonial axis.

Pro Tip: Visit the Rotunda at 9am opening to see the gold mosaics in morning light - the dome is electrically lit but natural sunlight makes the tiles shimmer. Combine with the Arch of Galerius (5-min walk south) and the underground Roman ruins of Galerius's Palace at Plateia Navarinou (free).