Thessaloniki presents itself as a real-life open-air museum, full of monuments from different eras. Many of them coming from the days of the roman empire, like the famous arched Hall of the Galerian Palace Complex.
Throughout its history, Thessaloniki has been a major economic and political hub of Europe, and it was no different in the times of the romans. This is why emperor Galerius chose it to be the capital of the east of the Roman empire. His most significant legacy to the city is the Galerian complex, which includes a Rotunda, a Hippodrome, the Palace, a Triumphal Arch and, of course, the Arched Hall. The complex was built between the late 3rd and early 4th centuries ad.
The building known as the Arched Hall in Thessaloniki had an exterior resembling a basilica, with an apse. Inside, it had two rooms, connected to one another, each with its own entrance. To keep it warm, the hall was equipped with a hypocaustic system, remnants of which can still be spotted in the digging area.
The two chambers of the hall were lavishly ornamented: the walls were lined with white and coloured marble, and the floors were also covered with multi-hued marble tiles that showed geometric designs. Later, an additional room was constructed. Nowadays, it is buried beneath the ground and its size is impossible to measure. Contemporary scholars assume that the arched hall served as a triclinium, meaning it was used for feasts and other ceremonials involving the emperor and his entourage.
The Arched Hall of the Galerian complex has been partially retained, yet shards of its interior ornamentation have been passed down to us. Tourists can now witness:
Throughout the dig, it was found that the arched hall was warmed with a pipeline constructed beneath its floor. Pipes were additionally placed through the core of the apse. Two channels intersected in the northern part of the apse. The furnace in which charcoal was set afire was also found in the center. Signs of the heating system can be perceived during a trip to the hall.
A data center is situated at the archaeological site of the arched hall. It has been active since October 2015 and assists in learning more about one of Thessaloniki’s most important attractions. The information center has an exhibition with stands and pictures taken during the excavations, video materials and interactive applications are available to visitors. These enable one to observe a digital model of the entire palace complex and gain insight into its original configuration.
Situated in the vicinity of Navarino square, the arched hall can be accessed by foot from the White Tower in a matter of 5 to 10 minutes, so no public transportation is required.
Tourists who visit the Arched Hall can also explore other attractions in Thessaloniki such as the music museum of Macedonia, the Agia Sofia, the Galeria Arch, the Rotunda, and the Church of st. Panteleimon. Additionally, there are plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants around the area.
