Church of St.Sophia, Thessaloniki

Church of St.Sophia represents one of the city's most important ancient religious structures, whose historical and architectural significance has earned it a place on the World Heritage List. Although the current building--based on Istanbul's Ayia Sofia--was erected in the 8th century CE, a church has stood at this location since the 3rd century CE. Its rich and varied history includes a period as the cathedral of Thessaloniki and several centuries where it served as a mosque. Tour the dark interior to discover relics from each iteration, including centuries-old mosaics, icons, and chandeliers. This is an active church, and services are still held here today; check online for details. Make Church of St.Sophia a centerpiece of your Thessaloniki vacation itinerary, and find what else is worth visiting using our Thessaloniki route planning tool.