The only monastery of the Byzantine period still standing in Thessaloniki is the Monastery of Vlatadon, which is still operational although the only buildings surviving today are the sanctuary and a few architectural elements. However, the view from the spot, on which Saint Paul preached, is majestic, since you can enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the city and the Thermaic Gulf. The murals of the church (cross-in-square with a dome), works of the 14^th century, have suffered a lot of damage from the pounding, a preliminary work by the Turks for the plaster to work with which they used to cover up the murals. The monastery is associated with Agios Grigorios of Palamas, an archbishop of Thessaloniki (founded by his students, Vlatides), whose image is depicted in the space between the narthex and the nave. Across the church is housed an exhibition of Byzantine icons, which is definitely recommended for the lovers of Byzantine art. The church is open to the public and you can attend the service in the morning, and then wander around the streets of Ano Polis overlooking the sea of the Thermaic Gulf.