Thessaloniki begins construction of Holocaust museum to honor Jewish heritage

The city of Thessaloniki, Greece, has officially begun construction of the Holocaust Museum of Greece, a project that will memorialize the rich Jewish history of the city and the tragic losses suffered during World War II. The museum, slated to open in 2026, is being built on the site of the Old Railway Station, where the first Nazi train carrying Jews to Auschwitz departed on March 15, 1943.

Thessaloniki, once known as the “Jerusalem of the Balkans,” was home to a thriving Jewish community for over 2,300 years. By the early 20th century, it was Europe’s only major city with a Jewish majority, predominantly Sephardic Jews who spoke Ladino. However, this golden age ended during the Holocaust, when 96% of Thessaloniki’s Jews were deported and murdered.

The eight-story museum will not only commemorate the Holocaust but also celebrate Greek Jewish history, including the contributions of Romaniote Jews who settled in Greece during the era of Alexander the Great. The project has been championed by prominent figures, including Dr. Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer and the son of Holocaust survivors from Thessaloniki. Bourla donated $1 million to the museum’s construction, joining other contributors such as the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and the governments of Greece and Germany.

Bourla, speaking in Jerusalem while accepting the Genesis Prize in 2022, emphasized the personal significance of this project. “My parents turned their experience surviving the Holocaust into something positive and life-affirming. This clearly shaped my worldview,” he said.

At the groundbreaking ceremony on October 29, dignitaries such as German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou joined Holocaust survivors and local leaders. President Steinmeier expressed Germany’s commitment to preserving the memory of the atrocities, saying, “The memory of what was done to the Jewish people on this site cannot be erased.”

While only about 5,000 Jews remain in Greece today, the museum is expected to play a vital role in combating antisemitism, which remains a challenge in the country. Despite rare physical violence, vandalism of Jewish cemeteries and Holocaust memorials occurs frequently. A 2014 survey by the Anti-Defamation League reported high levels of antisemitic sentiment in Greece, though efforts to combat hatred, such as outlawing Holocaust denial and observing International Holocaust Remembrance Day, are ongoing.

The museum’s mission extends beyond remembrance. It aims to inspire visitors to confront hatred and uphold values of diversity, human rights, and democracy. “Hatred in any form leads to denial, disrespect, and destruction,” said Stan Polovets of the Genesis Prize Foundation. “Each of us has a responsibility to stand up to all forms of hatred.”

Thessaloniki’s Holocaust Museum will stand as a powerful testament to the resilience of Greece’s Jewish community and a reminder of the need to educate future generations. Share this story or subscribe to our newsletter for more insights on Jewish history and efforts to fight antisemitism worldwide.