Bezesteni,
a building from the 16th-17th century is in the central square of
the city and operates as an Archeological Museum, where all the
archeological wealth of the Prefecture has been housed.
A Greek architect
built Bezesteni, according to the model of Byzantine markets and
probably. Its name means «fabric market». Those indoor markets (Bezestenia),
were very popular and typical of Muslim towns. Their example was followed
by the conquered Byzantine cities. A Turkish sightseer of the 17th
century wrote in his book that «there is a wonderful stone-built
building, covered in lead and this is Bezesteni».
Today in Greece there
are only two Bezestenis that are still preserved: one in Thessaloniki
and the other one in Serres.