Aristotelous Square is one of the central squares of Thessaloniki. It starts from the semi-circular road, connected to the Mitropoleos Street, and continues to Nikis Avenue. Aristotelous square is a popular spot for tourists and residents, full of bars and cafes, and is a venue for political gatherings and a variety of artistic events. The majestic buildings on Mitropoleos Street house the “Electra Palace” hotel and the “Olympion” cinema.
The French architect Ernest Hébrard designed the square in 1917, immediately after the great fire that incinerated the center of Thessaloniki. According to Hébrard’s plans, the square, to be called “Alexander the Great” Square, would have a large statue of Alexander the Great in its center, and would end at Egnatia street to the north, where an imposing Courthouse would be built.
Today the Aristotelous square, as well as Aristotelous Street, have many Byzantine and European elements envisioned by Hébrard, although there have been many reductions and modifications. Its final conformation took place in the 1960s.
Aristotelous Street starts at Aristotelous Square and spreads to the north till Egnatia in the same architectural style according to Hébrard’s plans, and forms a cohesive whole with the square. It meets Tsimiski, Vasileos Herakliou and Ermou streets, and at its junction with Egnatia, it forms a smaller square. Aristotelous street, which is pedestrianized for the most part and has an island of greenery in the center, is actually an elongated square with many shops and cafes. On Aristotelous Street is the marble bust of the Asia Minor ethno-martyr Metropolitan Emilianos, who became a martyr in 1911.
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