Museum stations in the heart of the city
Thessaloniki Metro is not only a major transport project, but also one of the largest urban archaeological excavations that has taken place in the country. During the works, a great set of antiquities came to light, reflecting the continuous historical continuity of the city from the Roman to the Byzantine period. Today, part of these finds has been incorporated into two stations, applying the model of a public archaeological site where daily commuting meets traces of the past.
Venizelou station is the most important example. In situ, there is a section of Decumanus Maximus, the central Roman avenue in Thessaloniki (the Middle Way of the Byzantines) with the shops, arcades and routes that have been used for centuries. The antiquities were re-installed at the site in 2023–2024, creating one of the most impressive archaeological ensembles within a modern metro station in Europe. At the same time, significant parts of residential activity, cisterns and architectural remains have been revealed at Agias Sofias station, which testify to the organisation of the Byzantine city.
The excavations revealed more than 300,000 movable finds, including jewellery, coins, vases, sculptures and rare everyday objects. The research material reflects the development of Thessaloniki as an important commercial and intellectual centre of the Eastern Mediterranean. The project has been described by the archaeological community as a "unique opportunity to understand the stratified history of the city". If you are a history lover, with a single metro ride in the largest city of the Greek North you can also discover a "city under the city".
Venizelou station is the most important example. In situ, there is a section of Decumanus Maximus, the central Roman avenue in Thessaloniki (the Middle Way of the Byzantines) with the shops, arcades and routes that have been used for centuries. The antiquities were re-installed at the site in 2023–2024, creating one of the most impressive archaeological ensembles within a modern metro station in Europe. At the same time, significant parts of residential activity, cisterns and architectural remains have been revealed at Agias Sofias station, which testify to the organisation of the Byzantine city.
The excavations revealed more than 300,000 movable finds, including jewellery, coins, vases, sculptures and rare everyday objects. The research material reflects the development of Thessaloniki as an important commercial and intellectual centre of the Eastern Mediterranean. The project has been described by the archaeological community as a "unique opportunity to understand the stratified history of the city". If you are a history lover, with a single metro ride in the largest city of the Greek North you can also discover a "city under the city".
