The Hagia Sophia Cathedral (the Temple of Holy Wisdom) is the main church of the Greek Orthodox Church in Thessaloniki, even though it is considered the main church of St. Demetrius.

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The sanctuary, along with other buildings, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Architecture and history

Hagia Sophia is, however, probably the oldest Christian building still standing in Thessaloniki. The temple stands on the site of the original 3rd century church, which was demolished by an earthquake, and construction of the new cathedral in its present form probably began in 620, 9 years earlier than the Church of St. Demetrius.

Hagia Sophia Cathedral will probably only be a short stop for you. Its appearance kind of drowns it in the surrounding buildings of the modern city, compared to other cathedrals of comparable size, it is one of the smallest.

Admission and opening hours

The church is open daily from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, including the adjacent nicely landscaped park where you can have a pleasant rest.

There is no charge to enter the interior.

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