Thessaloniki: Galerius to Rotonda & Glass Mosaic Workshop

Trace Thessaloniki’s imperial history from the Galerian Complex to the Rotonda. Witness ancient golden masterpieces and craft your own glass mosaic in a boutique art studio.
The Journey Begins: Imperial Power Our experience starts at the heart of the Galerian Complex, the monumental palace built by Emperor Galerius in the 4th century. Standing by the central ruins, we will look out towards the sea to understand the scale of this Roman powerhouse. You will learn about the symbolism of the palace and how its hidden floor mosaics once represented the absolute order and stability of the Roman Empire.

The Triumph and the Gate As we walk up the imperial axis, we pause at the Arch of Galerius (Kamara). This is the city's "stone newspaper," a victory monument filled with intricate reliefs. We will discuss how these marble carvings functioned like mosaics—individual scenes coming together to tell a grand story of triumph—before passing through this symbolic gate towards the sacred.

The Golden Light of Rotunda Next, we enter the majestic Rotunda, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest monuments in the world. Here, we leave the earthly palace behind and look up at the breathtaking 4th-century golden mosaics of the dome. As your instructors, we will reveal the technical secrets of the ancient masters: how they angled the glass tesserae to capture the light, creating a shimmering, divine atmosphere that has survived for over 1,700 years.

A Scenic Walk Through History Leaving the Rotunda, we enjoy a 15-minute scenic stroll (1km) toward our studio. Our route takes us past the historic Atatürk Museum and winds through the charming, narrow cobblestone alleys of the Upper Town (Ano Poli), offering an authentic glimpse into Thessaloniki’s most traditional and picturesque neighborhood.

The Workshop: Become the Artisan Arriving at our boutique art studio, we welcome you with traditional Greek coffee and local treats. Now, it is your turn to bring history to life. Inspired by the patterns we saw earlier, you will dive into a hands-on glass mosaic workshop:

Design: Choose your motif, inspired by imperial geometric patterns or nature.

Technique: Learn how to handle professional tools to cut and shape high-quality glass.

Creation: Carefully place each glass piece to "capture the light," just like the masters of the Rotunda.

Finishing: Grout and clean your artwork to reveal its true brilliance.

By the end of the session, you will have bridged the gap between the Roman past and the present, taking home a unique, handmade glass mosaic—a personal piece of Thessaloniki’s imperial soul.

Para garantizar la disponibilidad de la reserva lo antes posible. Vale la pena reservar con antelación, especialmente si planeas el viaje durante la temporada alta, como los días festivos o los fines de semana.

Esta excursión se puede cancelar sin costo alguno hasta :tiempo de cancelación horas antes del inicio del viaje. Si lo cancela después de 24 horas o no se presenta en la excursión, se le cobrará el precio total de la actividad. El retraso en la recogida o en la salida se considerará como no presentarse.