The construction of Thessaloniki’s new subway system, a project spanning many years, has unearthed thousands of significant archaeological artifacts. Many of these discoveries have been creatively integrated into the metro station designs.
Construction on the Agias Sofias station, part of the new line in Greece’s second-largest city, began in 2003.
Excavations during the construction of the 9.6-kilometer line, initiated over a decade ago, have yielded thousands of important ancient relics.
These finds range from Roman roads and water systems to Greek burial sites and mosaics.
A large number of these artifacts are now on display at the 13 underground stations along the new subway route.
“This project uniquely blends ancient and modern, merging archaeological heritage with metro infrastructure,” Transport and Infrastructure Minister Christos Staikouras told reporters Friday, according to the Associated Press.
The discovery of these ancient treasures led to significant cost overruns and project delays to ensure their preservation.
“The project encountered substantial delays and challenges, including the discovery of over 300,000 archaeological finds, many of which are now showcased at various stations,” Staikouras explained.
The completed driverless metro system, featuring platform screen doors, cost $3.1 billion.
The first line is scheduled to open on November 30, 2024, with the second line to follow a year later.
This subway system adds to Greece’s numerous archaeological sites.
Greece boasts the National Archaeological Museum, widely considered one of the world’s most important and largest archaeological museums.
Thessaloniki itself houses several archaeological sites, including its own Archaeological Museum and the Polycentric Museum of Aigai.
Other historical landmarks in Thessaloniki include the White Tower, the Museum of Byzantine Culture, and the Agios Dimitrios Church.