Redevelopment works at Thessaloniki’s Eleftherias (Liberty) Square are set to begin in late March or early April, marking the start of one of the city’s most symbolically weighted urban regeneration projects. After years of serving as an informal open-air parking lot, the square will finally be transformed into a Park of Remembrance, honoring the Greek Jewish Martyrs of the Holocaust.
Park of Remembrance: A debt to History
The announcement was made by Thessaloniki Mayor Stelios Angeloudis during a Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorative event. The Mayor confirmed that legal hurdles regarding the tender process have been cleared, paving the way for the €9 million project, funded by Greece’s Green Fund.
The site holds a dark significance in the city’s history. Speaking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA), Deputy Mayor for Technical Works Prodromos Nikiforidis emphasized the square’s historical gravity:
“This square is dedicated to the Holocaust of our Jewish fellow citizens, who were rounded up and humiliated by Nazi troops on this very spot.”
Thessaloniki moves beyond “condemnation”
For years, the existing Holocaust Memorial has stood in a corner of the square, a placement that many felt diminished its importance. David Saltiel, President of the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki and the Central Israelite Council of Greece, had long advocated for a more prominent tribute.
“As long as the Holocaust Memorial remains tucked away in a corner… that image will remain a symbol of a lack of respect for history and the actual events,” Saltiel previously noted.
During his recent address, Saltiel warned of a “stronger, more evolved” wave of antisemitism rising across Europe and Greece. He stressed that symbolic gestures are no longer enough to combat this “poison”:
“Declarations of condemnation are not sufficient. We need coordinated action, education, and a steady effort to keep the paths of coexistence open. Society must recognize these phenomena early and react instantly to isolate them.”
Park of Remembrance leads urban revitalization
Beyond its role as a space for reflection, the redevelopment is a cornerstone of the city’s broader strategy to upgrade the historic center. The plan includes:
- Green Public Spaces: Creating a vital “lung” of greenery near the waterfront.
- Pedestrianization: Integrating the park with surrounding walking routes to enhance urban quality.
- A Modern Landmark: Repositioning the Holocaust Memorial as the centerpiece of a dignified, accessible public space.
The Municipality is expected to release the final implementation timetable by the end of February, with construction officially reclaiming the square from its decades-long use as a parking area.
