A driverless metro system hailed as “unique in the world” opened Saturday in Greece’s second city, Thessaloniki.
The 9.6 kilometer (six mile) line cost three billion euros (£2.5 billion) and during the construction process, which lasted almost 20 years, more than 300,000 treasures were unearthed, many of which are now They are displayed in the 13 subway stations.
Workers discovered a Byzantine-era market, a Roman cemetery and the remains of Thessaloniki’s busiest street in the 6th century.
According to archaeologists, it was a busy street with many shops.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, flanked by President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Transport Minister Christos Staikouras, pressed a blue button on Saturday to begin operation of a system that was a long time coming.
Mitsotakis said the first allocations for exploratory excavations were part of the 1976 budget.
Years of court battles in which contracts were cancelled, real estate disputes and a fight over the location of a station near important archaeological discoveries derailed the project.
‘This is not just a public works project, which is incredibly important for the city. It’s also a museum,” Mitsotakis said before visiting Venizelou station for a private tour on Friday.
A driverless metro system hailed as “unique in the world” opened Saturday in Greece’s second city, Thessaloniki. More than 300,000 treasures were discovered during construction, many of which are now displayed in the 13 subway stations. Above is Venizelou station.
The trains were built by Hitachi Rail, which said the new subway would reduce 77,000 tonnes of CO2 a year.
Workers discovered a Byzantine-era market, a Roman cemetery and the remains of Thessaloniki’s busiest street in the 6th century. Above: Venizelou station
‘It’s probably unique in the world. We will pass through an underground museum to get to the train.’
Builders had to dig deeper than originally planned – up to 31 meters (102 feet) – to ensure the tunnels passed beneath the archaeological finds, according to the project’s contractor.
“It is an opportunity for Thessaloniki to become a second Rome, in terms of antiquities,” said Melina Paisidou, one of the archaeologists who discovered the relics underground.
Officials said operating the line would mean 57,000 fewer cars per day in the congested city, and 254,000 passengers are expected to use the system daily.
Builders had to dig deeper than originally planned, up to 31 meters (102 ft), to ensure the tunnels passed beneath the archaeological finds.
Officials said operating the line would mean 57,000 fewer cars a day in the traffic-clogged city.
This photograph partially shows the museum at Venizelou metro station.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said: “This is not just a public works project. It is also a museum. It is probably unique in the world. Above: museum at Venizelou station
Travelers view some of the objects from the Byzantine and Roman periods found during construction at the Agia Sofia metro station.
An eastward extension of the line with five additional stations is planned to open in 2025.
Thessaloniki has a population of 300,000, which rises to more than a million if the suburbs are included. It is the second largest metropolitan area in Greece.
An eastward extension of the line with five additional stations is planned to open in 2025.
An extension to the west is planned. But it will probably be several more years until the metro reaches the city’s busy Macedonia airport.
The trains were built by Hitachi Rail, which said the new subway would reduce 77,000 tonnes of CO2 a year.
“It is an opportunity for Thessaloniki to become a second Rome, in terms of antiquities,” said Melina Paisidou, one of the archaeologists who discovered the relics underground.