The Rotunda in Thessaloniki is just as its name implies – a round structure. It is, however, a very old round structure, constructed as a temple for a late Roman Imperial Cult around the 3rd century AD. Sometime in the early Byzantine times, it was converted to a Church dedicated to Saint George. The interior was decorated in stunning coloured mosaics, now considered to be some of the best preserved late antique/early Byzantine mosaics in Greece.
In 1590, after Ottoman conquest it was converted to the Mosque of Suleyman Hortaji Effendi and a minaret added to one side. In 1912, the structure was reconsecrated as a Greek Orthodox church and is now a historic monument.
The Rotunda has some rather interesting doors. This door faces the original processional entrance from the Arch of Galerius just to the south.
Ninety degrees north around the circumference is another door with its portico. It is now the main entrance to the structure.
Notice the Multi-faith symbols over the door showing its long history as a church and a mosque.
The grand metal door stands open for visitors, reflecting the colours from the interior mosaics.
On the door are decorative metal bosses and door handles.
Even the mosaics inside the Rotunda depict doorsways – or rather archways.
A close-up of a mosaic “doorway” shows details picked out in green.
Check out Norm’s blog for Thursday Doors. Just link up to join in.
Also more green in the mosaics in the form of a green bird for The Daily Post’s Weekly Photo Challenge: Green.
What an amazing place. The doors. the St George icon, the wonderful mosaics. Thanks for taking us there Debi.
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It really is an amazing place. Construction initiated by the (late) Roman Emperor Galerius and supposedly modelled on the Pantheon in Rome. Really love the mosaics.
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[…] Rotunda – My Kitchen Witch […]
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Beautiful building, I love the colours inside.
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The mosaics are very beautiful in gold, silver, blue, green and red. Worth visiting Thessaloniki.
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Wow what a special place. That first door shot is an absolute classic. Thanks for the tour and the history lesson 🙂
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The Rotunda is very special. We visited in February and were lucky to have the place to ourselves. One of my first thought before entering and seeing the doors was your series, Thursday Doors. Have been waiting for an opportunity to show them!
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Thanks for the peek at this gem of a place. The complexity and nuance of the pictorial Roman mosaics amazes me as does the outwardly simple architecture. Love this post Debi
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It really is a spectacular place. I’ve been waiting for years for the place to open to the public. At last, we were rewarded!
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LOVE this. As I’ve said before Thessaloniki was a major highlight of our trip. Those doors, the tiles, brickwork, the structures and those ever appearing birds. How lucky to enter this amazing space.
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It is an amazing place. I’ve waited years for the Rotunda to finally open to the public. Thessaloniki is such a spectacular city and I’m glad you got a chance to explore it.
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Every photo is just fabulous.
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Thanks! It is a fabulous place.
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I enjoy seeing historic blog pieces like this. you captured intrinsic details which really brought out the history of the pieces.
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We love history and archaeology, so everywhere we go, we try to visit interesting places. I’m also fascinated with details and textures. Don’t you just love those Roman bricks just inside the open door?
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I do like the doors! Whenever I visit sites, I snap pictures of doors. I have a blog post on different doors in Oman.
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