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Arch of Galerius

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Oct 2026Data Sources

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The Arch of Galerius, locally known as Kamara, is one of the most distinctive Roman monuments in Thessaloniki, erected at the beginning of the 4th century AD. It was part of an extensive imperial palace complex commissioned by Emperor Galerius to celebrate his victory over the Sassanid Persians in 298 AD. Originally, the structure consisted of eight pillars forming a monumental gateway over the Via Egnatia, though today only three pillars and part of the arch remain standing. The surviving marble reliefs on the pillars are of outstanding quality, depicting detailed scenes of imperial campaigns, battles, and religious ceremonies. Particularly noteworthy is the portrayal of the Emperor as a triumphant ruler, which served as imperial propaganda during the Tetrarchy period. Together with the nearby Rotunda, the arch forms a historical ensemble that highlights Thessaloniki's significance as an imperial residential city. Today, the arch serves as a central meeting point for residents and tourists alike.

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Location: Greece
Highlights: Rotonda · Rotunda · St. George
Nearby: Perea (15 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	5	6	9	13	19	24	27	27	22	16	11	6
Rain mm	47	38	48	40	46	38	29	24	47	51	44	64

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

The triumphal arch stands freely accessible on a busy street in Thessaloniki and can be viewed from the outside at any time. The interior is not open to the public.

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Typical hours

As it is an open-air monument, there are no fixed opening hours. It is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

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Photography

Photography is allowed at any time without restrictions, as the monument is in a public space. For professional shoots with heavy equipment, a permit from the city is advisable.

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Time needed

A short stop of about 10 to 15 minutes is plenty to view the arch and take photos. For a closer look at the reliefs, allow 20 minutes.

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Combine with

Combine your visit with the nearby Rotunda, which is only 100 meters away. The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki is also a 15-minute walk.

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Getting there

The arch is centrally located on Egnatia Street and is easily reachable on foot from the city center. The nearest bus stop, 'Kamara', is served by several lines.

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Insider tip

Visit the arch in the late afternoon when the light highlights the reliefs beautifully. Watch out for traffic, as the monument is right next to the road.

Geography

Coordinates

40.63310, 22.95250

Facts

The arch was constructed between 298 and 303 AD.
It celebrates the victory of Galerius over the Sassanid King Narseh.
The remaining reliefs are arranged in four horizontal zones.
Originally, the arch was connected to both the palace and the Rotunda.
The structure spanned the vital Via Egnatia trade route.
The arch consists of a brick core that was faced with marble panels.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Saint Demetrius Church<1 km · NWExplore →

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki<1 km · SExplore →

📍Port of Thessaloniki2 km · WExplore →

📍Pylaia5 km · SEExplore →

📍Evosmos5 km · NWExplore →

Kalamaria6 km · SExplore →

Diavata10 km · NWExplore →

📍Oraiokastro11 km · NExplore →

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Sights in the town Arch of Galerius (8)

Rotonda 🏛 museum

Roman temple, later church, in Thessaloniki, Greece.

🕒 We-Mo 08:30-15:30💶

Rotunda

Roman temple, later church, in Thessaloniki, Greece.

St. George

Church building in Thessaloniki Municipality, Greece.

St. Panteleimon

Church in Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece.

Arch of Galerius

Monument in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Church of the Metamorphosis of the Sotir⛪ church

14th-century Byzantine chapel in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Megaro Nedelkou🏛 museum

Nedelkos Mansion, a work of the noted architect Xenophon Paionidis (1909), residence of doctor Ioannis Nedelkos and later his son Konstantinos Nedelkos.

Panagouda Church⛪ church

Church building in Municipality of Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

When was the Arch of Galerius built?

The arch was built in the early 4th century AD to celebrate a victory over the Persians.

What do the reliefs on the columns show?

They depict scenes from the campaigns of Emperor Galerius against the Sassanid Empire.

Do you have to pay an entrance fee to see it?

No, the monument is in a public space in the center of Thessaloniki and is freely accessible at all times.

How far is it from here to the Rotunda?

It is only about a 2-minute walk; both structures were originally part of a large palace complex.

What is the local name of the arch?

The residents of Thessaloniki simply call it 'Kamara'.

Arch of Galerius: where is it located?

Arch of Galerius is located in Greece.

Arch of Galerius: what is there to see?

Highlights include Rotonda, Rotunda, St. George.

Arch of Galerius: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.

Arch of Galerius: why is it worth visiting?

The Arch of Galerius, locally known as Kamara, is one of the most distinctive Roman monuments in Thessaloniki, erected at the beginning of the 4th century AD.

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