Thessaloniki Stories

The Church of Hagia Sophia: A Sacred Echo of Byzantium Nestled in the heart of Thessaloniki, the Church of Hagia Sophia is one of the city’s most significant and enduring religious monuments. Built in the 8th century, it is inspired by its namesake in Constantinople and stands as a remarkable example of Middle Byzantine architecture. Along with other early Christian and Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki, it is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church has served as a key religious center for over a millennium, reflecting the city’s complex religious and political history. During the Ottoman era, it was converted into a mosque, only to be restored as a Christian church after Thessaloniki’s liberation in the early 20th century. The interior of Hagia Sophia is renowned for its stunning mosaic of the Ascension, which graces the central dome. Dating to the 9th century, this masterpiece features Christ ascending into heaven, surrounded by angels and apostles, and is a rare and precious example of iconography that survived the period of Byzantine Iconoclasm. With its blend of spiritual grandeur, architectural refinement, and historical continuity, the Church of Hagia Sophia offers visitors a powerful sense of Thessaloniki’s Byzantine soul. It remains an active place of worship and a timeless monument to the city’s deep Christian heritage.