22/04/2026
The construction of the Thessaloniki Metro revealed something extraordinary beneath the modern city—an entire hidden world spanning over two millennia.
More than 300,000 ancient artifacts were uncovered during the excavations, making it the largest urban archaeological project ever carried out in Greece.
Beneath the streets of Thessaloniki, archaeologists brought to light Roman roads, marble-paved squares, early Christian churches, burial complexes, marketplaces, drainage systems, and everyday objects from ancient life.
At key locations such as the Agia Sofia Metro Station and Venizelou station, entire sections of the ancient city were found preserved almost intact—effectively turning parts of the metro into underground museums. Many of these discoveries are being integrated directly into the stations, allowing passengers to walk through layers of history on their daily commute.
The findings span multiple civilizations—Macedonian, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman—highlighting Thessaloniki’s continuous urban life for over 2,300 years.
Construction began in 2006, but the sheer scale of discoveries forced engineers to redesign plans, dig deeper tunnels, and pause work repeatedly. These archaeological challenges were one of the main reasons the project took nearly two decades to complete.
Today, the metro stands as a rare fusion of infrastructure and history—often described as a “living museum” beneath the city, where modern transport meets the ancient past.
