In 1430, Thessaloniki, that was part of the Byzantine Empire until then, was definitely taken over by the Turks who had been attacking the empire incessantly since the 2nd half of the 14th century, curtailing its territory. Thessaloniki (renamed Selanik) remained under Turkish rule till 1912 when it was occupied by the Greek troops during the First Balkan War. Throughout the 500 years of Turkish dominion, many constructions were built in Thessaloniki, with some of them well-preserved till nowadays.

Among the most famous edifices, we can find Bey Hammam (Loutra Paradisos), the first and largest Turkish baths in Thessaloniki located at the today’s Dikastirion Square (Plateia Dikastirion) above the Aristotle Square. The baths were constructed in 1444 under the rule of the sultan Murad II and they still served their original purpose at the end of the 20th century.  Among the architectural evidence of the era, there are also the baths of Yiahoudi Hammmam, from the 16th century, with a florist’s shop; Bezesteni Bazaar where you can buy fabrics or jewellery, or the former mosque of Hamza Bey (today’s Alcazar) from the 15th century.