The church was built in the mid 5th century AD, at the location where St. Demetrius martyred and is one of the most important monuments of Thessaloniki, a jewel of historical, architectural and religious value. The five-aisled basilica with vertical aisle, double lofts for women and long double rows with columns, was destroyed twice by fire, in the 7th century and in 1917 (August 5-6). Shortly after the fall of...