Siege of Thessalonica

Timeline

1. 1334Southern Macedonia · MacedoniaGuided by Syrgiannes Palaiologos, Dušan's forces captured fortresses such as Kastoria and then advanced south along the Via Egnatia; Thessalonica's garrison and citizens went on alert as outlying positions fell one after another.
2. 1334Walls of Thessalonica · GreeceThe Serbian army reached the outskirts of Thessalonica's walls, forming a siege; the city relied on its strong fortifications and port for supplies, while Byzantium gathered reinforcements from Thrace and repelled a Turkish raiding force to ease the pressure.
3. 1334Serbian camp outside Thessalonica · GreeceByzantine general Sfrantzis Palaiologos feigned surrender to enter the camp and assassinate Syrgiannes, depriving Dušan of a key insider; moreover, Hungary threatened the northern border, so Dušan agreed to negotiate and lift the siege. Thessalonica was temporarily saved, but surrounding Macedonian territories were ceded.