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must-visit in ThessalonikiHistoric Ruins & Heritage

Arch of Galerius and Rotunda

📍 Platia Agiou Georgiou 5 & Egnatia St, Thessaloniki 54635, Greece
Arch of Galerius and Rotunda
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Quick Facts

Location
Greece, Thessaloniki
Category
Historic Ruins & Heritage
Duration
30–45 minutes; about 1 hour including the arch reliefs and the mosaics.
Address
Platia Agiou Georgiou 5 & Egnatia St, Thessaloniki 54635, Greece
Coordinates
40.6320, 22.9470

Introduction

The Arch of Galerius (locals call it Kamara) and the Rotunda (today the Church of Saint George) stand together along Egnatia Street in central Thessaloniki — the city's most celebrated Roman remains. The arch was raised around AD 298–305 to commemorate Emperor Galerius' victory over Persia; its reliefs narrate the campaign, the triumph and the imperial family like a stone chronicle, and the exterior is free and open around the clock. The Rotunda, built around AD 306, measures 24 metres across with walls 6.3 metres thick and 28 metres high; its original purpose remains a mystery — temple, mausoleum or imperial memorial. It became a church in the late 4th century, a mosque under the Ottomans in 1590–91 (its 36-metre minaret survives), and was rededicated to Saint George after 1912; today it opens as a monument museum. Its early Byzantine mosaics on the dome and the eight apsidal vaults are the treasure: martyrs stand before imaginary architecture, and the crown of the dome once held Christ Triumphant in a medallion of glory. Both monuments belong to the UNESCO-listed Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessaloniki (1988).

✨ Highlights

1
The Arch of Galerius
A Roman triumphal arch of about AD 298–305 for victory over Persia, its reliefs narrating the campaign and triumph — known locally as Kamara.
2
The Rotunda
A circular building of about AD 306: 24 m across, walls 6.3 m thick, 28 m high, its original purpose still a mystery.
3
Three faiths in one building
Church from the late 4th century, mosque under the Ottomans in 1590–91 (36 m minaret survives), Church of Saint George after 1912, now a museum.
4
Early Byzantine mosaics
The dome and apsidal vaults carry early Byzantine masterpieces: martyrs before imaginary architecture, Christ Triumphant once crowning the dome.
5
World Heritage
Both monuments belong to the Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessaloniki, inscribed by UNESCO in 1988.
6
A Roman walking route
The White Tower, Roman Agora, Hagios Demetrios and the Archaeological Museum all link on foot from here.

🛈 Practical Info

→Duration：30–45 minutes; about 1 hour including the arch reliefs and the mosaics.
→Free days：6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October, and the first and third Sundays from November to March.
→Closures：Closed 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Easter Sunday and 25–26 December.
→Photos：Photography is allowed inside without flash to protect the mosaics; a scale model in the courtyard explains the structure first.
→Pair with：The White Tower, Roman Agora, Hagios Demetrios and the Archaeological Museum make a one-day central route.
→Free days：6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September and 28 October; plus the first and third Sunday of every month from 1 November to 31 March.
→Closed：Closed 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Easter Sunday and 25-26 December. The Rotunda is covered by the EUR 15 three-day ticket that also includes the White Tower and the Byzantine Culture Museum.
→Transportation：The Rotunda is at 5 Agiou Georgiou Square, an 18-minute walk from Aristotelous Square or metro line 1 to Sintrivani; the arch stands on Egnatia Street minutes away.

Opening Hours

Opening Hours
Monday08:00-20:00
Wednesday08:00-20:00,08:30-15:30
Thursday08:00-20:00,08:30-15:30
Friday08:00-20:00,08:30-15:30
Saturday08:00-20:00,08:30-15:30
Sunday08:00-20:00,08:30-15:30

The arch is open around the clock; the Rotunda runs summer (Apr–Oct) Mon and Wed–Sun 8:00–20:00, winter 8:30–15:30, closed Tuesdays; last entry 20 minutes before closing.

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
AdultFree

The arch exterior is free; the Rotunda is €10 full, €5 reduced in 2026, with several free days.

💡 Tips

• The Rotunda closes on Tuesdays — don't schedule around one; the arch is viewable 24/7.
• Read the arch reliefs first, then the Rotunda's mosaics — the Roman-to-Byzantine sequence flows best.
• Winter closes at 15:30, so go in the morning; in summer the late-afternoon light inside is softer and photographs better.
• Even free days draw crowds — book a timed slot online to skip the queue.
• No flash inside to protect the mosaics; start with the courtyard scale model before climbing.
• Walking east along Egnatia Street links the Roman Agora and the Archaeological Museum within ten minutes.
• The Rotunda is about 24 m across with 6.3 m walls and rises 28 m; the gold-ground mosaics in the dome and the eight apses are among the finest late-antique mosaics in Europe, and the Ottoman minaret is the only one left standing in Thessaloniki.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Arch of Galerius and Rotunda?

Wednesday: 08:00-20:00,08:30-15:30; Thursday: 08:00-20:00,08:30-15:30; Friday: 08:00-20:00,08:30-15:30; Saturday: 08:00-20:00,08:30-15:30; Sunday: 08:00-20:00,08:30-15:30; Monday: 08:00-20:00; The arch is open around the clock; the Rotunda runs summer (Apr–Oct) Mon and Wed–Sun 8:00–20:00, winter 8:30–15:30, closed Tuesdays; last entry 20 minutes before closing.

How much is the admission for Arch of Galerius and Rotunda?

Adult: Free; The arch exterior is free; the Rotunda is €10 full, €5 reduced in 2026, with several free days.

Any practical tips for visiting Arch of Galerius and Rotunda?

The Rotunda closes on Tuesdays — don't schedule around one; the arch is viewable 24/7. Read the arch reliefs first, then the Rotunda's mosaics — the Roman-to-Byzantine sequence flows best.

How long should I spend at Arch of Galerius and Rotunda?

A typical visit takes 30–45 minutes; about 1 hour including the arch reliefs and the mosaics..

Compiled from the official Hellenic Heritage page hh.gr (2026). The Rotunda closes Tuesdays; tickets €10/€5 with listed free days; the arch exterior is free.