Mention Greece and the first place most people think of is Athens, a cultural and historical metropolis dating back to the dawn of civilization. With a population of five million Athens is an exciting and vibrant place - a typical capital city.

Perhaps not as famous but with a historical heritage equal to and probably more diverse than Athens is Greece's second city, Thessaloniki. Situated on the Gulf of Thermaikos in the Aegean Sea, the city is a strategic trading port for northern Greece and the Balkans. It is also renowned for the universities and colleges that attract students from all over Europe. Thessaloniki has a rich cultural heritage, dating back many centuries. There are references to Thessaloniki in the New Testament, the most famous of which are St Paul's letters to the Thessalonians, the oldest records of Christian literature.

The city was founded in 315 BC by King Cassander of Macedonia, on a site of old monuments dating back to 2300 BC. It was named after his wife Thessalonica, who was Alexander the Great's sister. Over the years, Thessaloniki has suffered invasions by many cultures, including Slavs, Arabs, Saraces, Normans, Catalans, Turks and Nazis. It is testament to the strength of this city that it has prevailed through each incursion, with its ancient Byzantine monuments intact.

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