The construction of the Thessaloniki Metro is to resume, after an agreement was reached between the Ministry of Culture and the Mayor of Thessaloniki regarding the preservation of antiquities found during the dig.
The ambitious Thessaloniki Metro construction halted when antiquities, including a road dating back to the Byzantine era, were discovered during the dig for the “Venizelos” station. The discovery has split public opinion in Thessaloniki, however Mayor Yannis Boutaris strongly supported the preservation of the antiquities and launched an appeal to the Council of State.
According to the new plan, 80% of the road will remain on-site, with part of the station to be converted into a visitable archeological site. All exhibits will be temporarily transferred elsewhere for safekeeping until construction is complete, according to a study by the Technical Chamber and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The cost of the project was estimated at 5 million euros.
