Veria, the so called “Little Jerusalem” of northern Greece is located very close to the Thessaloniki, on the foothills for mount Vermio with a unique view of the large Imathia plain. Surrounded by the Pierian Mountains and river Aliakmonas that both add to the town’s special beauty.
A lively town with shops, cafés, and bars, Veria offers entertainment options that satisfies everyone’s likings, remaining, at the same time, a quiet town with scenic neighbourhoods, old mansions, cobbled streets and Byzantine churches. It’s a setting that takes us back in time.
A sweet town, known for its revani (traditional syrupy cake) whose smell and syrup brings in mind homemade traditional sweets prepared by grandmothers. Revani has been around since the years of the Ottoman rule and has survived to this day, with the secret recipe passing from one generation to the next.
It’s worth visiting the Central Public Library, a true gem in the region, that was awarded the “Access to Knowledge Award 2010” by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It is fully renovated and equipped with all the necessary modern technology, as well as a rich book collection for all ages and interests.
Steps away from the library, you’ll come across an imposing neoclassical building that houses the Town Hall. The building has an interesting story, operating as a school between 1908 and 1995, while during the Balkan Wars it was used as a military hospital. It was transformed into the Town Hall in 2001.
The area behind the Town Hall is rich with Byzantine churches, including the church of Anastaseos tou Hristou that creates a mystifying atmosphere. While if you walk around the neighbourhood, you’ll also see the Agios Stefanos and Evagelistra churches.
The town has many mansions with traditional sachnisi, that is stone houses with wooden elements and protruding balconies on wooden beams. These houses remain impressive, standing tall and noble. A neighbourhood known for its mansions is “Kiriotissa” a traditional neighbourhood that got its name from the homonymous church. The church is very impressive, built inside the houses’ yards, a special meeting place that the people of the area wanted to pay tribute to in a unique way.
At the end of the Kiriotissa neighbourhood, you’ll find the Twin Hammam of Tuzcu Sinan Bey that date back to the 15th century and were divided in men and women bathhouses, operating until 1935. A few steps away, you’ll see the Greek Evangelical Church, hidden away between two tall mansions. The cobbled alleys lead to Apostle Paul’s Tribune (Bema), where the Apostle Paul preached love and faith to the locals.
The next stop on this tour of Veria has to be the Jewish quarter, Barbouta. It is an area full of cobbled alleys and impressive mansions that were sold by the Jewish to Greeks before they left town in the beginning of the Second World War. The Jewish Synagogue, built in 1850, truly stands out.
The old cathedral of Veria is located a stone’s throw from the Jewish quarter, and it dates back to 1070-1080. It’s one of the most impressive churches with unique frescoes on the walls, including some important samples of 12th, 13th and 14th century Byzantine art.
In the centre of town, you can get a taste of Veria’s culture, at the main square, surrounded by many shops, as well as the Agios Antonios church, the patron saint of Veria.
Elia park, an ideal space for endless walks in nature with a panoramic view of the Imathia plain, is near the centre, however it offers moments of quiet and relaxation. And you can also sit on one of the chaise longues at the “Promenade of Veria” that has been designed in a way that resembles a beachfront promenade even though it’s on valley. Another magnificent nature spot, not far from Veria, is the Aliakmonas dam. Aliakmonas is the longest river in Greece, about 332km long. If you follow the signs towards Vergina, you’ll find yourselves in a true paradise. The river banks are covered in various different plants and the waters reflect the sky creating an upside down illusion. There’s also a trail for hiking in the woods, and both banks of the river are accessible, while the view from the bridge is amazing.
Veria may be known mostly for its churches and the religious, spiritual vibes of the town, but whoever visits realises it’s a town bustling with life, culture and natural beauty.
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