Thessaloniki Monastery of Latomos

Location: Old Town Ano Poli

The Monastery of Latomos is characterized as one of the most important religious monuments in Thessaloniki; the unique early Christian mosaic decoration and the Byzantine frescoes adorning the walls are the reasons for that. The famous mosaic depicting the Vision of Prophet Ezekiel in the quadrant of the niche of the holy step is among the most beautiful pieces of art inside the monastery.

The monastery is found in Ano Polis, below the Vlatadon Monastery. Originally, it was dedicated to Prophet Zacharias, and later to Jesus Christ, or, more specifically, the Christ Savior of Latomos. With the fall of Thessaloniki in 1430, the monastery was converted into a mosque, namely Suluca Keramedim Mosque. After Thessaloniki became Greek again at the beginning of the 20th century, Christian worship was reestablished in the building. In honor of the ascetic saint of the city, the monastery was also given the name Saint David, while "Latomos" is due to the quarries that lay in the area.

The daughter of Emperor Maximian, Theodora, built a bathhouse (valaneion) that secretly functioned as a "shelter for the spirit of God" in this area, where quarries were operated. Theodora was secretly indoctrinated in the Christian faith and baptized by Alexander, the then Archbishop of Thessaloniki who was later sanctified. When her father left Thessaloniki for an expedition, she converted the Roman bathhouse into a Christian church.

In the 12th century, the monastery was renovated and decorated with frescoes, while at the end of the next century or the beginning of the 14th century, the pictorial decoration of the catholic was renewed.

The monastery of Latomos is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, along with other religion-related structures, like the Vlatadon Monastery mentioned above, Agios Dimitrios Church and the Church of Panagia Chalkeon.