Holy Church of Agia Sophia, Thessaloniki

Plan Your Trip Ltd

All object (0)

See objects on map (0)

The Church of Agia Sophia in Thessaloniki is a Byzantine-era church known for its impressive mosaics and unique architectural features.

The Church of Agia Sophia dates back to the 3rd century making it one of the oldest churches in the city.

The present church, following the architectural design of the Church of Hagia Sofia in Istanbul was built in the 8th century. It became the cathedral of Thessaloniki in 1205 and was then converted into a mosque when the Ottomans conquered the town in 1430. It stayed that way until the town's liberation in 1912. The church suffered damage from the Great Fire in 1917 and an earthquake in 1978, but most of it has been restored. Inside there are some interesting frescoes and Byzantine icons. When the city was liberated from the Nazi occupation on the 2nd of November 1944, Agia Sophia is where the thanksgiving mass took place.