Menorah in flames, Holocaust memorial at Eleftherias Square, Thessaloniki, Greece
The Menorah in Flames is a bronze sculpture in Eleftherias Square in central Thessaloniki. The work shows seven interlaced human figures that together form the shape of a seven-branched candelabrum, rising to about 2.5 meters in height.
The memorial marks an event in 1942 when occupation forces gathered over 9,000 Jewish men at this location. This action led to the deportation of around 50,000 Jews from Thessaloniki to concentration camps.
The name references the seven-branched candelabrum, a core symbol in Jewish tradition. Inscriptions in several languages at the site speak directly to the history and meaning of this place for the Jewish community.
The sculpture stands openly accessible in the busy central square and is easy to reach on foot. The location is near shops and other central venues, making a visit easy to combine with other sightseeing in the area.
The work was created in 1997 by two artists and was the first Holocaust memorial to be built in a public space in Greece. Its creation marked an important moment in the city's recognition of this history.
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