The FIPSE-7 conference will take place at the Makedonia Palace Hotel in Thessaloniki. This city is the second largest in Greece, with a metropolitan area of over one million residents. Its central position in the Balkans has established it as a key economic hub for the region.

The city was founded in 315 BC by Cassander of Macedon, who named it after his wife, Thessaloniki, the daughter of Philip II of Macedon and sister of Alexander the Great. Thessaloniki became a vital trade hub after the Romans conquered Macedonia in 168 BC. The city was located on the Via Egnatia, a Roman road that connected Europe and Asia. Thessaloniki emerged as the second-largest city in the Byzantine Empire, maintaining a thriving economy despite the ongoing struggles for control between the Byzantines and the Ottomans. Thessaloniki was liberated from Ottoman rule in 1912 during the First Balkan War, becoming part of Greece and seeing significant growth and development. Thessaloniki is closely linked to several European cities through its airport, which is the second busiest in Greece.

Makedonia Palace is a historic five-star resort at a unique location along the city’s seaside promenade. The 6 km promenade extends to the east and west of the hotel, offering opportunities for walking or jogging at any time of day. The hotel is adjacent to the famous White Tower, an ancient Byzantine fortification that is now a widely recognized symbol of the city. A short walk will take you to the very center of town, which boasts many fashionable stores and restaurants, along with important museums and theaters.