{"id":772,"date":"2024-11-30T15:59:20","date_gmt":"2024-11-30T15:59:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2024\/11\/30\/new-thessaloniki-metro-is-archaeological-window-on-the-past\/"},"modified":"2024-11-30T15:59:20","modified_gmt":"2024-11-30T15:59:20","slug":"new-thessaloniki-metro-is-archaeological-window-on-the-past","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2024\/11\/30\/new-thessaloniki-metro-is-archaeological-window-on-the-past\/","title":{"rendered":"New Thessaloniki metro is archaeological window on the past"},"content":{"rendered":"


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[Yiannis Papanikos\/Intime News]<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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A metro system in Greece\u2019s second city Thessaloniki officially opened on Saturday, its stations displaying the same ancient artifacts that nearly derailed the project\u2019s completion.<\/p>\n

During construction, which began in 2006, workers discovered a Byzantine-era market, a Roman cemetery and other treasures of the city\u2019s long and varied history.<\/p>\n

The finds stalled the metro\u2019s progress and raised questions about how the city would modernise while protecting its rich past. The answer was to blend the two by displaying the uncovered artefacts for modern-day commuters to enjoy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think this very big day lends itself to many words. Today, after all, the project speaks for itself. The Metro is the most modern in Europe, as Thessaloniki deserves. It is a tangible project that, until the last moment, I\u2019m sure, many in the city didn\u2019t believe would happen. But here it is,\u201d Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said at the opening ceremony on Saturday.<\/p>\n

\"new-thessaloniki-metro-is-archaeological-window-on-the-past0\"\"new-thessaloniki-metro-is-archaeological-window-on-the-past1\"
Greece\u2019s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (C) onboard a metro wagon during the inauguration day of the Thessaloniki metro, in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, 30 November 2024. [Yiannis Papanikos\/Pool\/EPA]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThis is not just a public works project, which is incredibly important for the city. It is also a museum,\u201d he said at an earlier a private tour on Friday. \u201cIt\u2019s probably unique in the world. We will go through an underground museum to reach the train.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"new-thessaloniki-metro-is-archaeological-window-on-the-past2\"\"new-thessaloniki-metro-is-archaeological-window-on-the-past3\"
[Yiannis Papanikos\/Pool\/Intime News]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The metro took nearly 20 years to complete, in part because of funding problems during Greece\u2019s 2009-2018 debt crisis. It is the first such system in Greece outside Athens.<\/p>\n

Builders had to dig deeper than originally planned \u2013 up to 31 metres (102 feet) \u2013 to make sure the tunnels ran below the archaeological findings, according to the project\u2019s contractor.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is an opportunity for Thessaloniki to become a second Rome, in terms of antiquities,\u201d said Melina Paisidou, one of the archaeologists to discover the relics underground.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"new-thessaloniki-metro-is-archaeological-window-on-the-past4\"\"new-thessaloniki-metro-is-archaeological-window-on-the-past5\"
Commuters inside a metro station during the inauguration day of the Thessaloniki metro, in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, on Nov. 30, 2024. [Yiannis Papanikos\/Pool\/AP]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

[Reuters]<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n