Overview
Built in AD 306 as Emperor Galerius's mausoleum, the Rotunda is a 24.5m-diameter circular building similar to Rome's Pantheon. When the emperor wasn't buried here, Constantine I converted it into a church in the 4th century, preserving intricate Byzantine mosaics on its ceiling and walls. In Ottoman times it served as a mosque, with a minaret added alongside; today it's a museum that occasionally hosts services. The adjacent Arch of Galerius (Kamara) is a four-sided triumphal arch built in AD 298 to mark Galerius's victory over the Persians, with finely carved Roman reliefs. Admission about EUR 6. 1-minute walk from Kamara metro station (Line 1).
Opening Hours
08:00-15:00 (closed Mondays; varies seasonally)
Travel Tips
The golden Byzantine mosaics are the highlight. The Arch of Galerius is free to view from outside - explore them together.
Hotels near Rotunda & Arch of Galerius
Hotels and guesthouses in Thessaloniki, City Centre, Thessaloniki
Other attractions in Thessaloniki
White Tower
The symbol of Thessaloniki — a 15th-century Ottoman circular tower standing on the waterfront.
Ano Poli (Upper Town)
A hilltop old quarter with Byzantine walls and Ottoman-era wooden houses.
Modiano Market
Thessaloniki's central market since 1922, brimming with fresh produce and local eateries.
Aristotelous Square
Thessaloniki's central square - the city's lively living room opening to the sea.
Church of Saint Demetrius
The 5th-century Byzantine basilica of Thessaloniki's patron saint - a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ladadika District
A 19th-century olive oil warehouse quarter reborn as the city's dining and nightlife hub.
Paralia Waterfront
A 4.5km waterfront walk along the Thermaic Gulf, famed for umbrella sculptures and sunsets.