Aristotelous Square

Thessaloniki

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Aristotelous Square

Aristotelous Square is the most impressive square in Thessaloniki. It features buildings with monumental architecture inspired by European and colonial models, cafes, shops and restaurants. It is the focal point in big celebrations, such as the coming of the New Year, and is the de facto meeting place during the day. The history of Aristotelous Square began with the Great Fire of 1917 that destroyed two thirds of the city. The French architect Ernest Hébrard designed Aristotelous Square to serve as an end of a monumental axis for Thessaloniki that would stretche from the seafront to Dikastirion Square and the Roman Forum. The final design, build in the 1950s, is a lot more stripped down than Hébrard's original proposal, but still has significant architectural value.