Half Day Byzantine Thessaloniki Walking Tour

Hello! My name is Alevtina and I live and work in Thessaloniki. Initially, I had worked as an interpreter and a modern Greek teacher, but my growing passion for the history of art brought me to the Courtauld Institute of Art in London and then to the School of Tourist Guides in Thessaloniki, which eventually changed my career. I became a licensed and fully qualified guide and now I share my interest, knowledge and passion with other people. I love guiding in Thessaloniki and the surrounding area, because there is bound to be something interesting for every traveler. It’s full of history: Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, Jewish. There is amazing nature around: it’s enough to see the majestic mountain Olympus with its snow-covered top across the Thermaic gulf from one of the narrow streets of the Upper Town and fall in love with Thessaloniki. Its famously delicious products at open town markets, its smells from bakeries and coffee places are another characteristic feature of this city. I am especially excited, however, that Thessaloniki is full of Byzantine monuments, which often gives me a chance to give tours within the field of my expertise: Byzantine architecture, early Christian mosaics and medieval frescoes. I am absolutely enchanted by them, by their spirituality, theology, colours, composition and technique. I also do Christian excursions with the focus on the missionary journey of St Paul through our area (Philippoi, Thessaloniki, Veria) and give an introduction to the local Christian saints. Even though the Byzantine period is my favourite, I also enjoy showing the Jewish heritage of the town, its remaining synagogues, memorials, hidden streets and houses of the former Jewish quarter and the Jewish museum. l believe I have three useful skills for my job: I speak very clear English, I am sociable, and I am also really passionate about local history, art and culture. I do my best to make my tours informative, but digestible at the same time. Although I offer particular tours, I am more than happy to tailor them according to individual preferences. Degrees: MA Theology (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki) MA History of Byzantine Art (Courtauld Institute of Art)