Thessalonica’s birth, has in fact prehistoric roots in more then 20 villages which by the most important name of them Therma -Therme or Thermae (plural), like Athens or Athenae (plural) married the most Northern Aegean Gulf naming it Thermaic (Gulf) or Thermaikos. After that she remains until today his proud bride, changing her name with Alexander Grate’s sister's name -Thessalonika. Because, new customs were to come, doubting multiple wives and polygamy after Alexander.
This apartment has the most western balcony of entire “intra muros” town and is over the Roman -Via Egnatia- connecting East and West worlds, and their civilizations.
Maybe today this global connection is a trend all over the world, but in Thessalonica it happens all over the time, too, since the town is the Capital of Macedonia, and the inheritor of Alexander the Grate’s legacy,about who are Greek, or not.
It lies in equal distances between Venetian or Turkish Seafront Wall in the South, Byzantine in the North, or Roman in East, and Hellenistic in the West, because it has been the centre of the town since 4th century b. C.
But in this place (future Metro station "Venizelou") a modern global restoration crime, more like the Elgin Marbles of Parthenon, and less like Evan's in Knossos, is evolving today in front of our eyes.
Unfortunately, ruins and sections of the past have always been treated as quarries, for today's buildings, until the middle of the 18th century. But as three centuries approach the completion of the first excavation and preservation (1936) of Herculaneum Campania (76AD), History has universally gained respect for the Preservation of Monuments in Place, and recognition that it is not a mere scrapbook of memories, but Einstein's real 4-dimensional Space-Time Continuum which like a tree has its roots in a Real Estate’s area space. And the constructional cutting of the roots creates artificial sections completely contradicted to the natural ones formed random by times,luck or fate
Instead of our warm welcome I will try to share with you some personal experiences. Hoping that according to your interests and available time, you will find around this property the specific destinations deep in past, or in contemporary places.
“Thessalonica, The Ghosts Town", by Mark Mazower is a book which explains why this city is particularly a Space Time Gate, and thus full of secrets and urban legends.
And this Gate’s core is the specific point area of this property, where the underground ancient silence is raised to heavenly joyful live noise.Like the unity of waters which during time are recycling position from ground to underground and from there then to havens. Bathroom's tiles colour synthesis try to represent this Space Time waters effect.
This city is my birth town, and I have lived in this property over a decade, since 1976, working hard more then 14 hours per day as professional Architect engineer. And while daily I was been visiting different government departments and agencies, I also was been discovering till today, every day new secrets of its past.
Naturally most of them, under grounded, were being gradually revealed by new excavations every time.
But gradually also I have been moved outside of this time map of dates, Historical Centre, and today living in "extra muros" (out of the walls) city I miss its today’s local map of modern P.O.I.s
Because alternatively to long time historical events and legends Petula Clark explains more, of the modern aspects of this property, with her "Down Town" song lyrics, describing the most accurate reasons. Such as:
..."Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city
Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty
How can you lose?
The light's so much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares"...
But even if your mood changes suddenly, there is the way to stay in heavenly silence. Just close the double glazed doors and pull down the blinds and the electric tent.
As said previously, closest neighbourhood hides a Historical restoration crime evolving under a new term of heritage preservation: "Heritage Planning", Sustainable or not.
Due to my sensitivity to treatment of abandoned places and odd materials, I‘ve been influenced from this fact, so far as to be let mixed broken and cut crystal glass over the kitchen countertop wall panelling as its representation. Although the technique (mosaics and stained glass) is older of 3000 years, probably it will not be obvious.
But that, which will be obvious before your eyes, is the density and diversity of activities in just only its proximity. Starting with the own building itself, the offices and professionals in it, to a distance of 20min by feet, you will find, especially after underground Metro station of Venizelou starts working, all the transport means of the City. I.e. Buses, Taxis, Boats, Train and Airport, will transport you from the opposite coast of Thermaikos to any place over world.
Such,
Antique shops and collectors exhibitions
Photography and Bookstores
Roman Forum and church of VIRGIN MARY OF CHALKEON (Church of Panagia Chalkeon)
Playgrounds (Aristotelous) and Parks, (Acheiropoietos) and Squares Agias Sofias
Food Markets of Agora Modiano and Kapani
Home delivery stores
Ladadika by the Old Port’s Historic District
Bey Hamam (Paradise Baths)
Restaurants and Caffeterias
Clothing an Shoe stores
Bars and Pubs
Pastry shops, and bakeries
Cinemas and Theatre
Open (or closed area) Shows, or Music events
Thessaloniki Waterfront Walk and Sea or Gulf cruises.
Jewish Museum and Museum of Illusions
MOMus Photography Museum (in the Port)
Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace and Court House (Dikastiko Megaro),
The International Fair Of Thessaloniki (beginning of September), and:
Just from the balcony, regular Social Happenings or Protests .
対応言語:ギリシャ語,英語