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Veria

It is the capital of the prefecture with population of 43.683. it is situated at the foot of Vermio mountain. Some findings dating back to the Early Age of Iron show that the area has been populated since 1000 B.C. Veria took its name after the daughter of king Veri. In the years of Philip and Alexander, it was the second town of Imatheias. In the years of Antigonides reign ( 3^rd cent. B.C. ) it flourishes. It is surrounded by a powerful wall with towers and gates that are open to the main roads. The aristocrats of Veria were relatives to the kings.

The picture we get about the town from the excavations is fragmentary. Some parts though of public buildings have been revealed. These must be related to the Market and the Stadium. The inscriptions inform us about the existence of some sanctums: Hercules, Enodias, Athenas and Aesculapius. In 168 B.C., Veria is the first Macedonian town to be surrendered to Romans. It was in favor with Romans, and it soon becomes the second town of Macedonian after Salonica. Its upper class is that of Merchants and landowners. There also a lot of foreigners, mostly Romans and Jews - whom St Paul visit in 48 - 49 A.D. it is the center of the imperial worship. Thus Diokletianus makes it one of the two capitals of Macedonia. Eroules raid ( 265 A.D. ) seems that it did not affect the towns welfare. In the Palaeochristian period, Veria becomes a bishop’s see.

The town repeatedly underwent the Bulgarian raids whereas it was occupied by the Serbs in the 14^th cent.. By the end of the Byzantine Era it was still a significant center. In the 15^th cent. it was occupied by the Turks who settled a military colony. The occupation of the inhabitants - Greeks and Jews with commerce created ( 17^th cent A.D. ) a rich middle - class - its existence is certified by numerous of mansions, many of which have been destroyed. In 1912, Veria was set free. Nowadays, it is a rich and modern town, the center of industrial process of the agricultural and cattle breeding products.

The sights are:

• The remnants of the towns wall.
• An impressive tower of the 3^rd cent. A.D. near the NE entrance of the town, with built sculptures and sanctums. Some parts of the castle are found in the Clock (Orologion) Square. 51 Byzantine and Post - Byzantine churches, mostly basilicas which have been painted. One of them is the church of St John the Theologian (12^th cent- ). The interesting murals date back to 1200 AD. Another is Christs Church, whose murals are an excellent qualitative sample of painting. According to the builders inscription (1315) the painting of the church was made by kaliergis who called himself the best painter in Thessalia. Other significant Byzantine murals are found in St Vlasius as well as in the old Metropolis. The latter was built with the material of a palaeochristian basilica which had been turned into a mosque. Those churches built during the Turkish domination are found within yards hidden by the facades of the houses. Many of them have got important post by Byzantine murals and carved temples or cionostases.

• The Jewish district of Barbouta, built on the shores of Tripotamus. There are beautiful mansions of the 18^th and 19^th century.
• The picturesque old market, near the old metropolis.
• The site of Pasha - Kiosk and the Elias ( olive tree ). Park.
• The Macedonian tomb of the 3^rd cent. B.C., next to the Aliakmonas Bridge, 6km to the SE of Veria. It is about a vault with a dorian fade.

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