Arch of Galerius (Kamara)
Arch of Galerius (Kamara) is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Thessaloniki audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~20 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type monument
- Suggested visit ~20 min
- Thessaloniki Thessaloniki guide
About Arch of Galerius (Kamara)
A Roman triumphal arch of about 300 AD, the city's 'Kamara', carved with reliefs of the emperor Galerius's victory over the Persians and straddling the ancient Via Egnatia; a UNESCO monument.
The Arch of Galerius, known to everyone in Thessaloniki simply as the Kamara, 'the arch', is a Roman triumphal monument of the early fourth century, built around 298 to 303 AD to celebrate the emperor Galerius's victories over the Sassanid Persians. It straddled the Via Egnatia, the great Roman road through the city, and was once an eight-pillared structure forming a triple arch, faced with marble panels carved in relief.
Only part of it survives, the north-western pillars and their arches, but the two pillars by the central passage still carry their sculpted marble, four stacked bands of figures showing Galerius's wars: the emperor charging the Persian king, the imperial family at sacrifice, the four rulers of the tetrarchy together. The arch stood within Galerius's imperial precinct, linked by a road to the Rotunda and his palace, and is part of the UNESCO-listed monuments of the city.
Did you know? The Arch of Galerius was built around 298 to 303 AD to celebrate the emperor's victories over the Sassanid Persians, and straddled the Via Egnatia, the great Roman road through the city.
How long should you spend at Arch of Galerius (Kamara)?
Plan about ~20 min at Arch of Galerius (Kamara). That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Arch of Galerius (Kamara) worth visiting?
Arch of Galerius (Kamara) is one of the 13 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Thessaloniki, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Thessaloniki
Day 2 of the Thessaloniki in 2 days itinerary →
Updated:
Hear the story of Arch of Galerius (Kamara)
Preview the Thessaloniki tour free in the Gingerguide app.