The painted mosaics of Thessaloniki are masterpieces of Byzantine art, with significant historical and artistic value. Nevertheless, they have not received the attention and support they deserve to be accessible to both the general public and specialized scholars. Old photographs of them continue to be reproduced and used.

In the early 20th century, during the Balkan Wars and World War I, Thessaloniki was the center of military operations and political turmoil. During this period, there was a strong international scientific interest in the city's Byzantine monuments. Since the end of hostilities and the liberation of Thessaloniki (1912), there have been few publications related to the city's monuments, aside from their systematic protection.

The authors of the book served successively from 1976 and for forty years as Curators of Byzantine Antiquities in Thessaloniki. After the earthquakes of 1978 and with national and European funding, they directed efforts for the unification, conservation, and presentation of the mosaics, along with their collaborators, archaeologists, architects, and conservators of the Thessaloniki Byzantine Antiquities Ephorate. The research conducted has yielded new insights into the painted mosaics of Thessaloniki, enriching our knowledge of these monumental creations of Byzantine art, offering an opportunity for scholars to study them and for historians and enthusiasts to enjoy them.

This book is a response from the authors, giving back what they have gained from many years of engagement with the wonderful world of mosaics. Kapoun Editions guarantees the high quality of the volume with stunning photographs and original designs suitable for a Greek edition on the Byzantine painted mosaics of Thessaloniki. This book fills an important gap.