Kapani, Traditional marketplace in central Thessaloniki, Greece
Kapani is a traditional marketplace in central Thessaloniki that spreads across multiple streets under metal-covered passages. Numerous vendors sell fresh produce, meats, fish, and spices in stalls packed closely together.
This place became significant in Greek history when it witnessed a key moment in 1821, when local community leaders died here during a period of great conflict. That event marked a turning point in relations between the local people and those in power at the time.
The name comes from the Turkish word Un-Kapan, meaning flour market, reflecting the multilingual trading past of this city. Vendors work within a space that has brought together generations of buyers and sellers.
The market is most busy in early morning hours and quieter by midday, so timing your visit makes a difference. Wear comfortable shoes since the pathways are narrow and sometimes wet.
Some older vendors keep alive the old custom of announcing their goods through rhythmic chanting, a practice passed down through many generations in this region. This spoken tradition is less common now, but you might still hear it during your visit.
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