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Museums are such a wonderful part of traveling to a new country or city. But I love it even more when I can inspire people that live in a city, and haven’t visited its museums, to do so.
For years, I was part of this group when it comes to the Jewish Museum in Thessaloniki. I would say I wanted to go, but never quite made time.
As fate has it, I decided to do so about a week before leaving the city for good after 4 years living there.
Together with my 70+ year old grandma, we walked down Tsimiski street and made our way to the ticket both.
Here are a few things that make the Jewish Museum worth visiting for me and that I think you will find interesting.
Before we get into the museum exhibits though, let’s start with the historical overview of the Jewish community in Thessaloniki.
A fact that many remain unaware of.
The roots of the Jewish community in Thessaloniki trace back over 2000 years, making it one of the oldest Jewish settlements in Europe even though sources for ancient years are hard to verify.
What is widely known, is the influence, presence and growth of the Jewish community after the Spanish Inquisition in 1492, when Sephardic Jews found refuge in Thessaloniki under the Ottoman Empire.
This is a complex and fascinating part of history, and I recommend reading more about the topic or even better purchasing the amazing Greece: Biography of a Modern Nation book, by Roderick Beaton.
I reread parts of this book a lot, and it is packed with information that any history buff will find fascinating.
For this reason, Thessaloniki by the 16th century was even referred to as “Mother of Israel”.
Jews contributed significantly to the Ottoman Empire, especially when it came to trade, textiles, commerce and culture.
Locals will be familiar with the names Modiano (Modiano Market, Villa Modiano) and Allatini (Villa Allatini).
The latter family name is most known for Moses Allatini, one of the most important figures, loved by Jews, Muslims and Christians for his contributions to the city and mourned with lowering of the flags to half-mast across the city. He also happened to be third richest man in the Ottoman Empire at the time.
This piece goes into more detail on Moses Allatini from one of his descendants and is worth reading in full.
From Ottoman years to WWII
There is no doubt that World War II brought an abrupt and tragic end to the centuries of coexistence between Jews, Muslims, and Christians in Thessaloniki, a city once renowned for its multicultural character.
Some historical facts in this timeline follow:
- Thessaloniki was part of the Ottoman Empire until 1912, joining Greece much later than other parts of the country. During Ottoman rule, the city’s Jewish community thrived, enjoying significant autonomy and contributing to its economic and cultural life.
- The transition to Greek governance after the Balkan Wars brought both integration and challenges. The Greek state initially allowed Jews to continue observing traditions like Shabbat and working on Sundays, but over time, policies began to favor Hellenization.
- The Great Fire of 1917 was a turning point. Concentrated in the lower part of the city, the Jewish community bore the brunt of the devastation, with over 50,000 Jews left homeless. The reconstruction that followed prioritized modern urban planning over the needs of the displaced, forcing many Jewish families to relocate to less central areas. This event, coupled with the influx of Christian refugees after the 1923 population exchange with Turkey, altered the city’s social and economic dynamics, creating tensions between communities.
- By the 1930s, these tensions were exacerbated by rising nationalism and anti-Semitic incidents, including the Campbell Pogrom of 1931, where Jewish homes and businesses were destroyed with little state intervention. The interwar years were marked by a growing sense of uncertainty for Thessaloniki’s Jewish population.
- Under the Metaxas regime (1936–1941), policies sought to promote national unity, but they also placed pressures on minority groups to assimilate. While Metaxas publicly denounced anti-Semitic violence, his administration’s efforts to centralize control sometimes conflicted with Jewish cultural autonomy. It was a delicate and often uneasy balance. However, Jewish soldiers enlisted and fought with Greeks during the Greco-Italian War and self-identified as Greeks, fighting for the Greek nation.
- In 1943, nearly 50,000 Jews from Thessaloniki were deported to Auschwitz. The loss was staggering—over 90% of the community perished, leaving behind a cultural and historical void that forever altered the city’s character.
What you need to know about the Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki?
These are some of the facts that I found most important to note, when considering the history of the Jewish community.
- Salonika’s Jews are second only to Poland for level of destruction and extermination.
- The Jewish community of Thessaloniki gave over 1.036 billion drachmas as ransom checks to the Nazis during 1942 and 1943 to save their men from forced labor. This was an astronomical amount, equivalent of over a million daily wages at the time. This ultimately did not prevent their deportation to Auschwitz. Until these checks were discovered in the Bank of Thessaloniki archives, Germany contested this claim.
- Thessaloniki was home to the world’s largest Jewish cemetery, with over 500,000 graves. This cemetery was destroyed by the Nazis during the occupation, with its gravestones used as building materials across the city.
When to visit?
The Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki welcomes visitors from Monday to Friday between 9:00 – 16:00 and Sunday between 10:00 and 14:00. There is also an evening slot on Friday between 17:00-20:00.
Those working during the day, would be best served by a Sunday or Wednesday afternoon visit..
On Saturdays, the museum is closed.
Other days where the museum is closed include all holidays and Jewish Holidays.
•Monday to Friday: 9:00–16:00
•Friday Evening: 17:00–20:00
•Sunday: 10:00–14:00
Ticket prices
•Adult Ticket: €8
•Student Ticket: €3
•Under 18s: Free
Guided tours are available—make sure to inquire for more information.
Location
The museum is located at 13 Agiou Mina Street, right in the heart of Thessaloniki, making it easy to visit as part of your city exploration.
What else to see in the area?
A trip to the Jewish Museum can easily be paired with exploring other nearby attractions:
- Modiano Market: A historic market built by a prominent Jewish family.
- Ladadika District: Perfect for a coffee or meal after your visit.
- Eleftherias Square: A significant historical site for the Jewish community during WWII.
- Aristotelous Square: Thessaloniki’s central square, ideal for relaxing or people-watching.
- The Holocaust Memorial: A short walk from the museum, honoring the memory of the city’s Jewish victims.
More to do?
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Must Know When Visiting Greece
- Emergency: Dial 112 for all emergencies. For police, dial 100. For ambulance 166. For fire dial 199.
- Language: English is widely spoken in most tourist areas. Common phrases to learn are “Kalimera” (Good morning), “Yia” (Hello and Bye – informal), and “Efharisto” (Thank you).Â
- Water: Tap water is safe in Athens, mainland Greece and a small number of islands. Always ask beforehand.Â
- Driving: Right-hand side, international driving permit recommended. Book your rental car with Discover Cars for the best rates and comparisons across all major and local companies.Â
- Accommodation: Booking.com for the most options on hotels, apartments and hostels. Free cancellation in a lot of places and no need to pre-pay. Great for their rewards points system.Â
- Islands: There are a lot of islands, spread out around the country. Start with a map or ferry service to get an idea of travel times. Ferry Scanner is the best for ferry bookings to the Greek islands.Â
- Activities:Â From cultural sights to day trips, food tours and city guides, use Get Your Guide.Â
- Public Transport:Â For Athens, use the Athens Metro. If you are not renting a car, use Trains (Hellenic Train) or KTEL (Public Buses) services.Â
- Domestic Airlines:Â The main airlines for air travel are Aegean Airlines and Sky Express. I recommend Aegean Airlines and its rewards program.Â
- Taxi:Â Always use a taxi app, instead of flagging down a taxi from the road. Use FREE Now (formerly BEAT).Â
- Culture: A siesta nap is still common in less touristy areas. This also means businesses will close between 2 PM – 5 PM. Except for hospitality businesses, everything is closed on Sundays.Â
