Roman Forum (Thessaloniki)

The Roman Forum of Thessaloniki is the ancient Roman-era forum of the city, located at the upper side of Aristotelous Square.

The Roman Forum

It is a large two-terraced forum[1] featuring two-storey stoas, dug up by accident in the 1960s. The forum complex also boasts two Roman baths,[2] one of which has been excavated while the other is buried underneath the city, and a small theater which was also used for gladiatorial games. Although the initial complex was not built in Roman times, it was largely refurbished in the 2nd century.[2] It is believed that the forum and the theater continued to be used until at least the 6th century.[3]

The area of the forum was planned to be the site of the Thessaloniki Municipal Courthouse (in Greek: Δικαστικό Μέγαρο), but after the ruins were discovered during the excavation, the project was scrapped. While the courthouse building was relocated, the intended name of the square ("Courthouse/Dikastirion Square") still survives in popular use. The official name of the square however is "of Ancient Agora (Archaias Agoras)".