About the neighborhood
Building in Thessaloniki, Greece
Modiano Market or Stoa Modiano (Greek: Στοά Μοδιάνο) i
Modiano Market, also known as Stoa Modiano (Greek: Στοά Μοδιάνο), is one of the most iconic covered markets in Thessaloniki and a landmark of the city’s commercial and social life. It was constructed between 1922 and 1925, in the aftermath of the Great Fire of 1917, which destroyed much of the historic city center. Its development formed part of the broader urban redesign known as the “Hebrard Plan,” which aimed to modernize Thessaloniki by introducing organized marketplaces inspired by contemporary European cities.
The market was designed by engineer Eli Modiano, a member of the prominent Italo-Jewish Modiano family, in collaboration with architect J. Oliphant. It was built on the site of the former Talmud Torah Synagogue, adding significant historical and cultural value to the location. In the original plans, the market was referred to in French as “Bazar Central Salonique,” reflecting both its intended function and the European influence on the city’s reconstruction.
Located in the heart of Thessaloniki, Modiano Market has long served as a central hub within the broader commercial district that spans several city blocks. Traditionally, it housed fishmongers, butcher shops, food stalls, as well as small tavernas and bars, creating a vibrant space where commerce and everyday social life intersected. For decades, it was a key meeting point for locals and visitors alike.
From the late 1990s onward, however, the market experienced a period of decline, with many shops closing and the building gradually falling into disrepair. This deterioration highlighted the need for a comprehensive restoration and a redefinition of its role within the modern city.
In the early 2020s, the property was acquired by the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF), marking the beginning of an ambitious restoration project. The ongoing works aim to preserve the building’s historical and architectural character while adapting it to contemporary standards and uses.
Today, reconstruction and redevelopment works are still in progress, transforming the market into a renewed commercial destination. In the near future, Modiano Market is expected to operate fully in its updated form, blending tradition with modern concepts such as curated food spaces, restaurants, and leisure areas. Through this transformation, it is set to re-emerge as a vibrant cultural and social hub in the center of Thessaloniki.
References
Sources
Modiano Market
Η τελευταία σελίδα της στοάς Μοδιάνο
Ottoman period Alaca Imaret Mosque
Bey Hamam
Church of Saint Gregory Palamas
Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Government House
Lazarist Monastery
White Tower of Thessaloniki
Yahudi Hamam
Yeni Mosque
Modern period Agias Sofias Square
Alexandreio Melathron
Aristotelous Square
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Kaftanzoglio Stadium
Ladadika
Stoa Modiano
Thessaloniki railway station
National Theatre of Northern Greece
OTE Tower
Port of Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki Concert Hall
Jewish sites Monastir Synagogue
Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki
Allatini Mills
Eleftherias Square
Holocaust Museum of Greece
Stoa Hirsch
Streets Egnatia Street
Nikis Avenue
Tsimiski Street
Vasilissis Olgas Avenue
Villas/Mansions Villa Allatini
Villa Bianca
Villa Mehmet Kapanci
Villa A. Kapanci
Villa Modiano
Villa Mordoch
Villa Petridi
Gategno-Florentin Mansion
Longos Mansion
Moskof Mansion
Stein Mansion
Palataki
State Conservatory of Thessaloniki
Centre for Byzantine Research
Gardens/Parks Seih Sou
Nea Paralia
Pedion tou Areos
Pasha's Gardensel
Marinas Marina Aretsou
Other Labbatoir
Ano Poli
Stoa Malakopi
Mikra British Cemetery
Church of Taxiarches
Museums Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
Atatürk Museum
Museum of Byzantine Culture
Cinema Museum
French Museum of Zeitenlik
Museum for the Macedonian Struggle
NOESIS
Macedonian Museum of Modern Art
Museum of Photography
State Museum of Modern Art
Teloglion Foundation of Art
War Museum
Events Thessaloniki International Film Festival
Thessaloniki International Fair
Thessaloniki International Book Fair
40°38′06″N 22°56′30″E / 40.6349°N 22.9418°E / 40.6349; 22.9418
Encyclopedic content adapted from the Wikipedia article on Modiano, used under CC BY-SA 4.0.