Monasteries and Churches in the North of Greece
During the Erasmus mobility at School No. 4 in Xanthi between the 4th and 9th of May 2025, we had the incredible opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful and meaningful religious sites in the north of Greece. This trip wasn’t only about discovering new places, but also about reconnecting with history, spirituality and culture.
The first place we visited was the Church of Saint Demetrius in Thessaloniki. Its architecture is absolutely beautiful, with high arches, elegant columns, and beautifully detailed icons. What fascinated me most was the fact that it was built on top of an older Roman bath complex, and beneath the church, you can still visit the crypt where Saint Demetrius was imprisoned and later martyred. The church also holds the relics of Saint Demetrius. Not far from there, we visited Hagia Sophia, also in Thessaloniki, which is one of the city’s cathedral.
In Xanthi, we visited the Cathedral of Saint Sophia, which truly stood out to me. The architecture was absolutely beautiful and very different from anything I’ve seen in Romania. The cathedral is made entirely of red brick and is located near a park in the center of the city.
One of the most peaceful and picturesque places we visited was the Monastery of Saint Nicholas near Lake Vistonida. Surrounded by nature, with the lake reflecting the sky, the monastery seemed like it was part of a different world.
What I learned from this experience is that churches and monasteries are not just religious buildings. They are places where history meets the present and where people go to find peace. I appreciated how much the Greeks value their religious and cultural heritage, preserving these places not just as monuments, but as living parts of their community.
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