Youth@home in Europe - A Walk through Thessaloniki Tourist guide | Page 8

ROTUNDA
It is also known as the Greek Orthodox Church of Agios Georgios, and is informally called
the Church of the Rotunda (or simply The Rotunda). The cylindrical structure was built in 306
AD on the orders of the tetrarch Galerius, who was thought to have intended it to be his
mausoleum. It was more likely intended as a temple; it is not known to what god it would
have been dedicated. The Rotunda has a diameter of 24.5 m. Its walls are more than 6 m
thick, which is why it has withstood Thessaloniki's earthquakes. The walls are interrupted by
eight rectangular bays, with the west bay forming the entrance. A flat brick dome, 30 m high
at the peak, crowns the cylindrical structure. In its original design, the dome of the Rotunda
had an oculus, as does the Pantheon in Rome.
HOW TO GO THERE
The Rotunda temple is located in the centre of Thessaloniki, in the sqare of Agios Georgios. It
is also near to the Arch of Galerius and to the museum of Attaturk.
SOURCES
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch_of_Galerius_and_Rotunda
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch_of_Galerius_and_Rotunda#/media/File:Rotunda_of_Galerius_(February_2009).jpg