'An underground museum': Inside Greece's astonishing new £2.5billion driverless metro system that unearthed more than 300,000 treasures, many of which are on display in the stations

A driverless metro system hailed as ‘unique in the world’ opened on Saturday in Greece’s second city, Thessaloniki.

The construction of the 9.6km (six-mile) line cost three billion euros (£2.5billion) and spanned nearly 20 years, unearthing over 300,000 treasures in the process. Many of these artifacts are now showcased in the subway’s 13 stations.

Workers discovered a Byzantine-era market, a Roman cemetery and the remains of Thessaloniki’s busiest street in the 6th century.

This was a busy thoroughfare with many shops, archaeologists say.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, alongside President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Transport Minister Christos Staikouras, initiated the operation of the system by pressing a blue button on Saturday, signaling the long-awaited commencement of the project.

Mitsotakis said the first appropriations for exploratory digging were part of the 1976 budget.

The project faced numerous challenges over the years, including legal disputes resulting in canceled contracts, conflicts over real estate, and disagreements concerning the location of a station in proximity to significant archaeological discoveries. These issues significantly delayed the completion of the subway line.

‘This is not just a public works project, which is incredibly important for the city. It is also a museum,’ Mitsotakis said before visiting the Venizelou station for a private tour on Friday.

A driverless metro system hailed as 'unique in the world' opened on Saturday in Greece's second city, Thessaloniki. In the course of construction over 300,000 treasures were unearthed, many of which are now on display in the subway's 13 stations. Above is Venizelou station

A driverless metro system hailed as ‘unique in the world’ opened on Saturday in Greece’s second city, Thessaloniki. In the course of construction over 300,000 treasures were unearthed, many of which are now on display in the subway’s 13 stations. Above is Venizelou station

The trains were built by Hitachi Rail, which said the new metro would cut 77,000 tonnes of CO2 annually

The trains were built by Hitachi Rail, which said the new metro would cut 77,000 tonnes of CO2 annually

Workers discovered a Byzantine-era market, a Roman cemetery and the remains of Thessaloniki's busiest street in the 6th century. Above - Venizelou station

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 go through an underground museum to reach the train.’

Builders had to dig deeper than originally planned – up to 31 metres (102 feet) – to make sure the tunnels ran below the archaeological findings, 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 to discover the relics underground.

Officials said the operation of the line would mean 57,000 fewer cars per day in the traffic-choked city, with an expected 254,000 passengers using the system daily.

Builders had to dig deeper than originally planned - up to 31 metres (102 feet) - to make sure the tunnels ran below the archaeological findings

Builders had to dig deeper than originally planned – up to 31 metres (102 feet) – to make sure the tunnels ran below the archaeological findings

Officials said the operation of the line would mean 57,000 fewer cars per day in the traffic-choked city

Officials said the operation of the line would mean 57,000 fewer cars per day in the traffic-choked city

This photograph partially shows the museum of metro station Venizelou

This photograph partially shows the museum of metro station Venizelou 

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said: 'This is not just a public works project. It is also a museum. It's probably unique in the world.' Above - museum at Venizelou station

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said: ‘This is not just a public works project. It is also a museum. It’s probably unique in the world.’ Above – museum at Venizelou station

Travellers look at some of the objects from the Byzantine and Roman periods found during the construction at the Agia Sofia metro station

Travellers look at some of the objects from the Byzantine and Roman periods found during the construction at the Agia Sofia metro station 

An eastward extension of the line with five additional stations is scheduled to open in 2025

An eastward extension of the line with five additional stations is scheduled to open in 2025

Thessaloniki has a population of 300,000, which rises to over a million when including the suburbs. It’s the second-largest metropolitan area in Greece.

An eastward extension of the line with five additional stations is scheduled to open in 2025.

A westward extension is planned. But it will likely take several more years for the metro to reach the city’s busy Macedonia Airport.

The trains were built by Hitachi Rail, which said the new metro would cut 77,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.

'It is an opportunity for Thessaloniki to become a second Rome, in terms of antiquities,' said Melina Paisidou, one of the archaeologists to discover the relics underground

‘It is an opportunity for Thessaloniki to become a second Rome, in terms of antiquities,’ said Melina Paisidou, one of the archaeologists to discover the relics underground

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

Amy Coney Barrett: Supreme Court Justice Rules Against Trump’s Attempt to Delay Sentencing

AMY Coney Barrett is the Supreme Court Justice who rejected Donald Trump’s…

What is not open on the day of the Presidential Inauguration?

AMERICA is opening The White House doors to Donald Trump for a…

Putin cautions Trump to stay away from Greenland as Trump does not rule out invasion. Could this lead to a conflict and make Greenland a potential WW3 hotspot?

VLADIMIR Putin has desperately hit back at Donald Trump after he refused…

Three teenagers detained following the fatal stabbing of a well-liked student near Bedford bus station

Three teenagers have been arrested after a ‘popular’ 17-year-old student  was stabbed…

Court Orders Alex Murdaugh to Pay $14.8 Million in Dead Housekeeper Insurance Scheme

1

Mother gives a distressing tour of her damaged home following the LA wildfires

A mother, devastated by the wildfires raging through Los Angeles, took her…

TV reporter stuns audience with emotional disclosure during live broadcast amid the destruction of a house in LA wildfire

TV viewers were left in total shock after a news anchor made…

“Hotel Worker in Costa Del Sol Caught Sabotaging Buffet with Bleach”

A COSTA Del Sol resort worker has been accused of trying to…

Trump’s Sentencing Moment and Judge’s Final Remark on Court Case Following President-Elect’s Criticism

AUDIO reveals the moment Donald Trump was sentenced over hush money payments…

Michigan woman’s ex arrested by police for consistently giving false statements.

The boyfriend of a missing Michigan mother was brought before a court…

Man murders his pregnant spouse and two children before committing suicide

Rhode Island police revealed on Wednesday that an incident involving a family…

British Witnessed Start of Los Angeles Wildfire from Window While Alerting Others about the Impending Danger at the Very Moment the Catastrophe Commenced

A BRIT man has revealed how he saw the first spark of…