The fourth issue of MUSA, the quarterly cultural review produced by the press and communication office of the Greek embassy in WashingtonD.C., highlights Byzantine Thessaloniki in its current edition.

Considered the “second capital” of Byzantium after imperial Constantinople, Thessaloniki today retains numerous monuments of the 1,000-year Eastern Christian empire.

“Any walk around the beautiful northern Greek city will reveal some new aspect of its eternal history to the traveller. Ancient memories, Roman influences and Byzantine splendour comprise a uniquely charming mosaic,” the edition reads, noting that UNESCO has declared 15 early Christian and Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki as World Heritage Sites.

The metropolis – the capital of the province of Macedonia – is also recognized as one of the most important to the historical memory of humankind.

Several important Ottoman-era monuments are also found in the city, considered a springboard for holidays in northern Greece.