Politically, Thessaloniki in 1423 was a city on the edge. The Byzantine Empire was in decline, and the city’s control was contested. The Serbian Despotate had briefly taken control in 1423 when the Byzantines handed the city over to the Serbian ruler Despot ?ura? Brankovi? in a bid for protection against the Ottomans. Despot ?ura? Brankovi?:

Religion was central to Thessaloniki’s identity. The Orthodox Church dominated public life, with magnificent churches and monasteries scattered throughout the city. Religious festivals and processions honored saints and local traditions. Orthodox Christianity: The city's religious leadership was influential, and pilgrimage to the Church of Ha

Thessaloniki in 1423 was a multi-ethnic and multi-religious city, with inhabitants of Byzantine Greeks, Jews, Albanians, Slavs, Turks, and Italian merchants, especially Venetians and Genoese. The city was a melting pot of languages, traditions, and faiths. Byzantine Greeks: The majority population was Orthodox Christian Greeks who upheld Byzant

In 1423, Thessaloniki was a fortified city with massive walls dating back to the Byzantine era, designed to protect it from invasions. The walls stretched for about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) and were punctuated by numerous towers and gates, still standing today as some of the best-preserved Byzantine fortifications in the world. Key Landmarks T