Thessaloniki Metro Opens After Two Decades, Showcasing Ancient Artifacts

The long-delayed subway system integrates over 300,000 archaeological finds into its stations, blending modern transit with the city's rich history.

The Thessaloniki metro, originally planned for completion in 2012, will open on November 30, 2024, after 20 years of construction delays and cost overruns.
Excavations along the 9.6-kilometer subway line uncovered over 300,000 artifacts, including Roman roads, mosaics, coins, and burial sites, making it Greece's largest salvage excavation project.
Artifacts have been incorporated into the design of the 13 metro stations, with some stations featuring displays that highlight different historical periods of the city.
The $3.1 billion metro system features driverless trains, platform screen doors, and is expected to reduce road traffic by up to 60,000 vehicles daily in Greece's second-largest city.
The metro's development faced challenges such as financial difficulties during Greece's debt crisis, archaeological preservation efforts, and public skepticism over repeated delays.