Historic subway project in Thessaloniki: ancient treasures in new splendor!

Historic subway project in Thessaloniki: ancient treasures in new splendor!

A major infrastructure project, the new metro, was officially inaugurated in Thessaloniki. This modern subway line runs for 9.5 kilometers and offers 13 stations, the most impressive being Venizelou station, which, due to its archaeological remains, looks more like a museum than a stop. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described the opening as a “historic moment” and emphasized that the metro is not only a transport artery, but also a testament to Thessaloniki's over 2,500-year history. The ticket prices are extremely cheap at just 0.60 euros, which makes them even more attractive to use, reported the Small newspaper.

Technological progress and traffic relief

The newest metro is considered one of the safest in the world because it is driverless. The stations are equipped with glass walls that only open when the train stops. This is intended to increase security and fits the futuristic atmosphere of the architecture and ancient artifacts. Experts estimate that the metro could replace at least 56,000 car journeys every day, thereby significantly relieving urban traffic ORF reported.

The construction of the metro began in 2006, but there were repeated delays as numerous important archaeological finds hindered the progress of the work. Among other things, ancient streets, tombs, mosaics and thousands of artifacts were discovered that document the city's long history. These discoveries had to partially change the original plans of the project, which increased the costs from an initial one billion euros to around three billion euros. In addition, the financial crisis in Greece led to political turbulence, which further delayed the project.