Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki
Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki
Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki
4.5
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
About
The Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki was founded to honor the rich and creative Sephardic heritage as it evolved in the city of Thessaloniki.On the ground level are monumental stones and inscriptions that were once found in the great Jewish necropolis that lay to the east of the city walls. Accompanying these stones are a series of photographs showing the cemetery and visitors as it was in 1914.Central to the first floor is a narrative history of the Jewish presence in Thessaloniki from the 3rd century BCE until the Second World War. A separate exhibit focuses on the Shoah, as it affected the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki. The majority of the community - some 49,000 persons - was systematically deported to Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen where most of them perished.A research and documentation center operates within the premises, which aims to document and digitize archival documents from the Museum's own collection as well as archival material from other sources, thus creating a database accessible to visitors.The Museum provides special educational programs for schools.
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4.5
411 reviews
Excellent
235
Very good
121
Average
33
Poor
9
Terrible
13
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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Dan R
Herzliya, Israel657 contributions
Apr 2022
A very good and informative museum about the rich history of the Jews in Thessaloniki. Unfortunately the information is quite sparse, the leaflet given at the entry does not have a museum plan, and part of the panels in the exhibition are in Greek only. Photography is not allowed - why? When will museums realize that photography only helps making the attraction known to future visitors?
Written 26 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tourist738810
1 contribution
Apr 2024 • Family
We tried to visit the museum on April 16, 2024; walked a long way to get there and have very limited time in Thessaloniki so every minute counts. We arrived at 1:17 p. m. but the museum was closed, even though the posted hours indicate that it closes at 2:00 pm. This was extremely disappointing and I think the people in charge should know about this early closing.
Written 16 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience you experienced in not being able to visit our museum. Our last entrance is scheduled half an hour before closing time to ensure all visitors have adequate time to explore our exhibits. We appreciate your feedback and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future for a more enjoyable experience. Thank you for taking the time to share your review.
Written 10 May 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
george
Greece123 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Touring the museum is a memory trip through time and the shocking history of the city's Jewish population. Exhibits, archives and audio-visual material make up a history lesson with hard truths and lessons, a real weapon against oblivion. Like the Jewish cemetery that was looted before it was expropriated by the Greek State and the AUTH was built on it, as well as the way the properties of Jews who were sent to the concentration camps were looted and cleared by locals. One visit is not enough.
Written 21 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ευχαριστούμε πολύ για την κριτική σας.
Written 19 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SvenskaMob
Richmond, VA69 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Interesting museum with in depth information relative to Thessaloniki's Jewish community from ancient times through to the present day.
I was very much looking forward to this museum. And I must say the experience was tainted by the very unhelpful, unfriendly woman who was attending the reception desk when we arrived on November 3rd at 10am. Im not sure I would ever make a return visit to this museum. Perhaps the museum management should take note of this. It takes very little effort to make guests feel welcome. Especially to an emotion filled museum like this one.
I was very much looking forward to this museum. And I must say the experience was tainted by the very unhelpful, unfriendly woman who was attending the reception desk when we arrived on November 3rd at 10am. Im not sure I would ever make a return visit to this museum. Perhaps the museum management should take note of this. It takes very little effort to make guests feel welcome. Especially to an emotion filled museum like this one.
Written 3 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review.
Written 20 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
AnnPalmerUK
144 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Not easy to find the entrance, as it was 'roped off', but we then saw a door to the right and were admitted. Interesting history of the Jewish quarter of the city and the impact of the 1917 fire. Some disturbing displays of the impact of the Holocaust and the 46,000 locals sent to Auschwitz concentration camp. 7 euros to get in
Written 2 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review.
Written 20 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Liz T
Colgate, WI29 contributions
Aug 2021
My daughter and I visited here and spent several hours exploring it. We were moved by the collection of items they have, especially the wall with 50,000 names on it. It gives voice to those numbers. Highly recommend.
Written 31 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review.
Written 3 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Davebwiseman
Droitwich, UK176 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
I could have stayed for hours more. A very tragic history. The museu is excellent and tells a story of a complete populations history. I love being able to ue QR codes to get full information.
Written 30 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review.
Written 2 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
dpgee_9
Paphos, Cyprus38 contributions
Sept 2012 • Couples
A must see Museum. Well documented in a number of languages, and many incredible photographs. The highlight of our trip.
Written 30 October 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shifra w
toronto4,651 contributions
July 2016 • Friends
I usually post photos with my reviews, but once through the entranceway of this museum, we were asked not to take photos of the items displayed, with or without flash.
This proved to be a bit of a disappointment, because pictures help me remember what I have experienced, and there were some very moving and memorable exhibits on the two floors of the museum.
We had a guide to describe some of the exhibits in English--and as she was speaking, an elderly woman was wheeled into the museum by her daughter.
The woman was Estella Esformes, who currently lives in Los Angeles.
Estella was rounded up with the Jews of Larissa on March 24, 1944. Placed on a truck, she and the other members of the Larissa community were delivered to a large, empty garage. Additional trucks brought Jews from Ioannina, Volos and other surrounding towns. After a week, the whole group was placed on trains and shipped to the concentration camps in Poland.
Estella was one of the only survivors and had come back to Greece for a visit.
Some of the people in our tour group clustered around Estella and she very graciously shared her story with us.
This was completely unexpected and a very special part of our visit to the museum.
Our tour group had passed through the marketplace on our way to see the Yad Lezikaron synagogue in the commercial district. Our tour guide had stopped at a florist and purchased a large bunch of roses. He had given each of the women in our group a beautiful red rose. Mine was sticking out of my backpack--you can see it in the picture I posted.
When Estella told us it was her birthday (I think it was her 92nd), most of the women in our group gave her their roses.
My picture of Estella with her bouquet of red roses, which unfortunately is not clear, is attached to this review.
So, besides being very impressed with the fascinating displays in the museum itself, our chance encounter with an actual survivor greatly enriched our entire museum experience.
P.S. In afterthought, I am not sure if I was allowed to take the picture of Estella and I in the museum, but no one asked us to stop (a number of us wanted to take pictures with her) and I am happy to be able to share them with you
This proved to be a bit of a disappointment, because pictures help me remember what I have experienced, and there were some very moving and memorable exhibits on the two floors of the museum.
We had a guide to describe some of the exhibits in English--and as she was speaking, an elderly woman was wheeled into the museum by her daughter.
The woman was Estella Esformes, who currently lives in Los Angeles.
Estella was rounded up with the Jews of Larissa on March 24, 1944. Placed on a truck, she and the other members of the Larissa community were delivered to a large, empty garage. Additional trucks brought Jews from Ioannina, Volos and other surrounding towns. After a week, the whole group was placed on trains and shipped to the concentration camps in Poland.
Estella was one of the only survivors and had come back to Greece for a visit.
Some of the people in our tour group clustered around Estella and she very graciously shared her story with us.
This was completely unexpected and a very special part of our visit to the museum.
Our tour group had passed through the marketplace on our way to see the Yad Lezikaron synagogue in the commercial district. Our tour guide had stopped at a florist and purchased a large bunch of roses. He had given each of the women in our group a beautiful red rose. Mine was sticking out of my backpack--you can see it in the picture I posted.
When Estella told us it was her birthday (I think it was her 92nd), most of the women in our group gave her their roses.
My picture of Estella with her bouquet of red roses, which unfortunately is not clear, is attached to this review.
So, besides being very impressed with the fascinating displays in the museum itself, our chance encounter with an actual survivor greatly enriched our entire museum experience.
P.S. In afterthought, I am not sure if I was allowed to take the picture of Estella and I in the museum, but no one asked us to stop (a number of us wanted to take pictures with her) and I am happy to be able to share them with you
Written 8 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Silvia D
Toronto, Canada29 contributions
July 2016 • Couples
Very interesting museum, and I didn't know that WW II hit Greece / Thessaloniki that badly. Broke our heart.
Written 9 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heather S
Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
How far is the Jewish area from the cruise ship port
Written 24 June 2024
Very close by,I’d say.
Just ask someone in the street or port.
Written 27 June 2024
Why Jewish museum have so stupid protection measures?, why are photos prohibited? why they have a highest prices for museum tickets in Thessaloniki?
Written 12 July 2019
Why would you think protection measures are stupid?
Written 11 November 2019
Θα ηθελα να επισκεφτω το μουσειο. Αυτο π θελω να ρωτησω ειναι πως ερχεται καποιος μεχρι εκει και ποσο ειναι το εισητηριο
Written 19 May 2015
It's right in the heart of Thessaloniki city center.
Written 26 February 2017
Hi, I will be on a cruise and would like to visit the Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki. Would you be able to advise me on how to get there via public transportation? Thank you.
Written 17 May 2015
the distance between the port and the museum is not more than 5 min on foot, so you neednt use public transport
Written 29 January 2017
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