Ano Poli

The secrets of Castra

Travelers, seeking for the most romantic places with their old history, mystical legends and myths will get the most fantastic sensations from Thessaloniki. All the magic of this city in Greece is concentrated in its old part, called Upper Town or Ano Poli. This ancient place is still surrounded by the stone wall. Tourists wishing getting there to take unique photos of Thessaloniki landscapes, can come here taking a bus. Those, who enjoy hiking, can climb to Ano Poli, enjoying the views of local nature and colored, bright, traditional Greek houses are that are scattered along narrow cobbled streets. 

Castra – the castle city

Locals call Ano Poli Castra, which in Greek means “castle” or “fortress”. Really, some romantics come there to dive into outstanding atmosphere of Old Greece, feel the spirit of those times, when this land was the dream of many famous persons. Roaming along the narrow, “curly” streets of “Castra”, you will meet picturesque ruins of old castles and stone houses. However, it might seem to you time did not touch some of these buildings. It seems the story of this land lives there – just open the door and take an unrealistic journey into the past.

On the crossroads of the Mediterranean 

Everything that happens in the history of mankind shapes not only the appearance of this or that place, but the customs of people living in the given locality. By the will of Fate, for several millennia Greece was the busiest "crossroads" of the Mediterranean. The ships from the Asian and African coasts hurried here, and merchants, representatives of religious faiths and various art trends found fertile ground for their activity on this land. Meanwhile, Thessaloniki attracted also various conquerors. Ano Poli architecture tells about it – you can “read” everything about these events just looking at Castra streets and houses. Ano Poli is a famous are of Thessaloniki; it is rightfully considered a valuable object of civilization that entered into the annals of the cultural heritage of UNESCO. Walking along narrow streets, paved with stones, you can enjoy for hours perfectly preserved and restored samples of typical Macedonian construction. The Upper Town atmosphere with its intertwining narrow streets, the paths to small picturesque squares with graceful fountains, the shadow of plane trees, sun-drenched vineyards, Turkish cafes and taverns with local cuisine, gives the impression that the verge of times does not exist.

Enjoying Ano Poli attractions

Staring your walk from Agiou Dimitriou Street, you can see all important monuments and temples of the city, including UNESCO World Heritage sites – the Church of Saint Catherine, the Vlatadon Monastery, the temples of St. Nicholas Orphanos, David and Taxiarchis, and the the mausoleum of Musa Baba. During the walk you will be “accompanied” by the fortress walls of Thessaloniki - the eternal defenders of the city, including the Acropolis. Coming to the top part of this area, you will see an unforgettable picture of the city descending to the sea and its Thermal Bay. The extreme fans, coming to Ano Poli, visit the old Byzantine fort, which was a fortress and a prison. Equally popular with locals and visitors is the observation Trigoniou Tower, located on the eastern wall. Climbing there, you can see an amazing view of the surrounding area and the cityscape of Thessaloniki. All connoisseurs of local cooking always visit the “Creonidis” tavern, with an excellent cuisine, where polite waiters and waitresses in local dresses serve there delicious meat, fish dishes and beverages. Sipping famous Greek wine, it's so nice to enjoy a quiet evening on the terrace of a cozy family restaurant. Ano Paulie is really the land where history and modernity are not only seen in its castles and buildings, but felt in fragrances and special aromas.