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New Greek metro is archaeological window on the past

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ATHENS, Greece – A metro system in Greece’s second city, Thessaloniki, officially opened on Saturday, November 30, with its stations displaying the same ancient artifacts that nearly derailed the project’s completion.

During construction, which began in 2006, workers discovered a Byzantine-era market, a Roman cemetery and other treasures of the city’s long and varied history.

The finds stalled the metro’s progress and raised questions about how the city would modernize while protecting its rich past. The answer was to blend the two by displaying the uncovered artifacts for modern-day commuters to enjoy.

BACK TO THE PAST. Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and other officials visit a subway station to admire artifacts unearthed during construction work in Thessaloniki, Greece, November 29, 2024. The subway is set to officially open this week after two decades of construction. REUTERS/Alexandros Avramidis

“This is not just a public works project, which is incredibly important for the city. It is also a museum,” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said before visiting the Venizelou station for a private tour on Friday.

“It’s probably unique in the world. We will go through an underground museum to reach the train.”

The metro took nearly 20 years to complete, in part because of funding problems during Greece’s 2009-2018 debt crisis. It is the first such system in Greece outside Athens.

VISIT. Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis rides onboard a metro along with Lina Mendoni, Greek minister of Culture and Adonis Georgiadis, Greek Minister of Health, in Thessaloniki, Greece, November 30, 2024. Giannis Papanikos/Pool via REUTERS

Builders had to dig deeper than originally planned – up to 31 meters (102 feet) – to make sure the tunnels ran below the archaeological findings, according to the project’s contractor.

“It is an opportunity for Thessaloniki to become a second Rome, in terms of antiquities,” said Melina Paisidou, one of the archaeologists to discover the relics underground. – Rappler.com


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