Thessaloniki - Ano Poli

We left Eptapyrgio, eager to explore Ano Poli

Upper Town or Ano Poli is one of the most traditional areas of Thessaloniki. The area preserves much of the Byzantine and Ottoman era city design which was largely destroyed elsewhere in the city in the Great Fire of 1917. It is known for its small stone-paved streets, old squares, and old houses. It's the highest part of the city and is dominated by Eptapyrgio.  What remains of the old city walls still surround Ano Poli. It's a centre for the city's poets, intellectuals and bohemians.

We were ready for a sit-down and a cool drink, but unfortunately, this cafe which looked so inviting was closed on Mondays.

It was down hill all the way

Interesting tile mosaic on the side of one of the houses

Ano Poli is known for the interesting colours of the houses

We got to a square, and sat down for a cool drink

the square is dominated by this church

The square reminded me of a traditional Greek village, like Styra for instance. It was hard to believe that we were in a big city

I got up to have a look around the square, and in the taverna, they were roasting lamb on a spit. I had not seen that in years.

Next to the church in the square is this tiny one

Next to the square, the city walls. The city was fortified from its establishment in the late 4th century BC, but the present walls date from the early Byzantine period, ca. 390 and incorporate parts of an earlier, late 3rd century wall. They are 4 kilometer long. Large parts of the walls, including the entire seaward section were demolished by the Ottoman occupiers in the late 19th century.

We walked through the gate

The first truly traditional houses - their two main characteristics are the colours and the overhanging first floors

We walked along the wall

and stopped to admire the view

This cafe looked quite inviting

I went to have a look down this path

the wall behind me

and the whole city at my feet

all the way down

these gorgeous houses

and steps up leading to Eptapyrgio

Just look at that - absolutely gorgeous

and yet they're all so different

A hospital

Wow!

and another gorgeous one.

Then suddenly, we had left Ano Poli behind us, and had reached one of the large avenues that lead to the seafront.