Locals call Arch of Galerius a mysterious word CAMARA. It’s monument of Roman dominance and a place of romantic dates.
A little history of this place
The Triumphal Arch of Galerius was built in 305 AD, during the reign of Thessaloniki of the Roman Emperor Galerius, in honor of the victory over Persia. The arch was not an independent structure but connected with the galleries leading to the mausoleum and the palace. Part of the Imperial Quarter, built in Thessaloniki by the Gallery, apse was part of the eastern gate of the city. The imperial Ignatiev road (Via Egnatia) passed straight through them. In the 20th century, horse transport was passing along this street and then trams.
The arch was not an independent structure but connected with the galleries leading to the Tomb of the Gallery and the Palace. All these 3 monuments are made of bricks. In the 5th century, the tomb of the emperor did not deserve to be a burial vault. This was changed to a Christian church and got a title in the honor of St. George, or as it’s also called the Rotunda of St. George. Now here is the Museum of Christian Art. Divine services in this church are performed on the days of great feasts.
Architectural value of the arch
Columns of the central arch are decorated with original stone bas-reliefs, which show the most dangerous scenes of Roman-Persian battles. Their feature is a disproportionate transfer of figures, for example, horses are noticeably smaller than people. Also do not be surprised if you see an elephant and a camel depicted on the wall. This highlights the fact that the described events were happening in the East. Camara refers to the style of narrative (historical) compositions and represents one of its best examples. It is not surprising that the arch and Rotunda of St. George as part of the early Christian and Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki were included in the list of World Heritage Sites in 1988.
Arch of Galerius nowadays
This arch can be called the personification of the whole city, which retains its greatness for many centuries. Thessaloniki is a major metropolis and the center of the state industry. In addition, the city is rich in spiritual and cultural life: archaeological excavations and exhibitions, museums and theaters. And in the center of all this is majestic Arch of Galerius and Rotunda of St. George.
Only a part of the arch has survived to our days, or rather its western wall length of about 29 meters. This gives it weight in history. The street on which it stands is pedestrian and open to all comers. Camara has become not only one of the symbols of the city but also a romantic place where lovers schedule dates. And the Square Navarino, leaving from the Arch to the sea, became the epicenter of the nightlife of numerous students studying in the universities of Thessaloniki.
Camara and the Rotunda itself is the center of Thessaloniki, where there are always a lot of people. Students like to spend evenings there, so you can easily find a lot of establishments with relatively low prices. A cheerful and noisy atmosphere will transform your evening in a better way.
From the airport of Macedonia, take the bus No. 78. From the bus station of KTEL Macedonia, take buses No. 8, 12, 31, 45, and 78 for a quick and convenient trip. From the railway station, you just have to try any bus to the east of Thessaloniki. In order not to stand in traffic jams and not to look for a parking place for hours, use a bicycle and do not neglect the walking.
