A metro in Thessaloniki was first mentioned in writing in 1976. The groundbreaking ceremony took place in 1987. From then on, the project developed into a running joke for the Greeks, a textbook example of mismanagement. “Thessaloniki metro network? “That’s so amazing, that doesn’t even exist!”, they said. But now the Thessaloniki metro has finally been officially opened.
Despite only having one line with 13 stations, it is already one of the most beautiful metros in the world.
Many of the ultra-modern stations are impressively embedded in ancient sites. That was also the main reason for all the delays: the construction workers repeatedly encountered underground archaeological artifacts, including ancient streets and walls of buildings. The Central Archaeological Council (KAS) repeatedly called for a stop. Antiquities experts, Byzantinists, specialized associations and citizen initiatives arrived on site to assess the finds – and each time construction work had to be stopped, sometimes for months or even years. What to do? Move the stations? Bury the subway dream?
Archaeological treasures
Ultimately, approximately 300,000 objects, columns, wall pieces and marble artefacts were excavated, restored and integrated into the metro stations. This approach is most impressive at Venizelou station in the city center: with 3,500 square meters of space, it looks more like a museum than a metro stop. It was originally a crossroads of the late antique main street Decumanus Maximus, complete with gates, foundations of shops and workshops, as well as columns and artefacts.
Accordingly, the opening is a “historic moment,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said. The metro proves the cultural wealth of the city, he said at the inauguration. Guests could not only travel from A to B, but also experience monuments from the almost 2,500 year old history of the port city. And it’s nice and cheap: the ticket costs only 0.60 euros.
Driverless trains
The new metro would be one of the safest in the world. Driving takes place without a driver. Glass walls rise along the platforms, the doors of which only open when the train stops and the doors in turn open. This seems futuristic amid the archaeological artifacts. For the residents of the big city, however, the metro mainly means relief from the daily traffic jam. Experts estimate that the metro will save at least 56,000 car trips every day in the future.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
