Salonica, developed by saloni.ca, is a historical navigation app for exploring Thessaloniki's past at street level. It maps over 7,000 geolocated photographs onto an interactive city map, overlays archival cartography such as the 1919 post-fire plan, and uses GPS to guide users to original viewpoints. Filters cover late 1800s through the post-war era, and the app targets history enthusiasts, architects, tourists, and urban researchers seeking place-anchored archival evidence.

Salonica turns modern streets into an archival guide for on-site exploration

The app maps more than 7,000 historical photographs to over 4,000 precise points across Thessaloniki, letting users view archival images positioned at their original capture locations. Its primary function is location-based comparison, presenting archived photographs alongside the current map so visitors and researchers can match viewpoints. The interface presents capture directions for each photo, which supports accurate on-site alignment.

Time filters and map overlays provide clear temporal context for each site

The app's time-period filters span the late 1800s through the post-war era, enabling users to isolate images from specific historical phases. Historical map overlays include a 1919 post-fire urban plan, offering a layered comparison between archival cartography and the current street grid. Each geolocated entry carries scholarly text that contextualizes the photograph, supporting research needs beyond casual viewing.

The Android build uses on-device location to support fieldwork and walking tours

Available on Android, the app uses the device's GPS to route users toward geolocated points and to display nearby archival photographs. The developer updates the application to maintain compatibility with current Android releases. That model makes the tool practical for fieldwork, where on-site navigation is part of the research workflow, and for visitors who navigate the city on foot while consulting historical texts attached to each location.

Designed for place-specific research; its city focus shapes both strength and limit

Salonica serves researchers, architects, and visitors who need place-specific archival evidence, notably through its academic-level documentation presented for a general audience. Its focus on Thessaloniki means usefulness falls sharply outside the city limits. Users are responsible for ensuring their use complies with applicable platform terms and local regulations when employing GPS navigation during guided visits or research activities.

A focused tool for site-based historical inquiry

Salonica is a practical option for history-minded visitors and researchers who need place-anchored archival context. Its concentrated emphasis on Thessaloniki makes it especially valuable for on-site study but limits applicability elsewhere. Users should proceed mindful of platform terms and local regulations when using location services. For those working within the city, the app supports field-based historical investigation and guided exploration.