Tsimiski Street - History

History

Prior to the Balkan Wars and the acquisition of Thessaloniki by Greece, the road that eventually became Tsimiski Street was called "the second parallel", a reference to its location being the second street to be built parallel to the city's waterfront, the other being Proxenou Koromila Street. Before 1890, the street connected the two sides of Thessaloniki, from the eastern city walls to the west. In 1913, when the city was in Greek hands, the street was then renamed after Ioannis Tsimiskis, a Byzantine Emperor notable for his struggles against Bulgarians. The choice of name was the result of Greek-Bulgarian tensions at the time in regards to who would eventually win the city of Thessaloniki after Balkan Wars.

The street took its current form after the Great Thessaloniki Fire of 1917, which levelled much of downtown Thessaloniki. French architect Ernest Hebrard who designed the new master plan for Thessaloniki was also the one that included the current design for Tsimiski Street. The street in its current form was built in 1921.