The Rotonda, Thessaloniki

The Rotonda in Thessaloniki is one of the city’s most significant monuments, constructed around 306 AD by the Roman emperor Galerius, likely intended to serve as a mausoleum. During the Byzantine era, it was converted into a Christian temple dedicated to the Holy Incorporeal Archangels or Saint George, while still preserving exceptional mosaics from the 5th century. During the Ottoman period, it was transformed into a mosque, and a minaret was added, which remains standing to this day. Today, the Rotonda is a monument open to visitors and occasionally serves as a temple. It symbolizes Thessaloniki’s enduring history and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.