THESSALONIKI IN SPRING: THE SEASON OF OPTIMISM

In this post, we are sharing some colorful pictures of Thessaloniki in Spring for a note of optimism that we all may need. The first signs of Spring in Thessaloniki, like everywhere in Greece, are the blossoms of the almond tree and other species of the Prunus genus such as the cherry, the plum, and the peach. Either white or pink, the almond blossoms appear in late February or early March and they are the first promise of Nature that everything will be reborn and thrive again. You can see the beautiful almond trees of Thessaloniki in the parks of the city, around the White Tower, along the sidewalks, and in the home yards of the Upper Town.

Later, in March and April, the city becomes even more colorful by the magenta-pink blossoms of the Cercis siliquastrum, commonly known as redbuds, or Judas tree. The name “Cercis” comes from the Greek word “Κερκίς”, meaning the weaver’s shuttle (due to the resemblance of the latter with the seedpods of the tree). The name “Judas tree”, on the other hand, refers to the region of Judea where it is native. You can find many redbuds along the streets of Ethnikis Aminis or Pavlou Mela, two of the main streets of the city that lead to the White Tower.

Finally, one of the most unique places in Thessaloniki during Spring is the Garden Of Water at the New Waterfront with many water lilies and hydrophilic plants that bloom in May, and other gardens at the waterfront such as the Garden of Roses and the Garden of Remembrance.