Thessaloniki Metro: The decumanus maximus “comes to life” at Venizelos station – Antiquities are back in their place (photos)

The Roman and Byzantine antiquities that were discovered in the context of the construction of the Thessaloniki metro, and which were temporarily detached, are being re-located at Venizelos station, in order to be re-located in the same position, on level -1.

3D rendering of Venizelos Station antiquities.

The Central Archaeological Council approved the studies for the protection, consolidation, restoration, maintenance and highlighting of the antiquities and – after they have been brought to the attention of the competent services of the Ministry of Culture and Sports – in April 2023 the relocation of the antiquities will begin.

At the same time, the maintenance work will progress, so that according to the schedule, the Station will be delivered at the end of 2023.

Marble propylon pessaries in the south portico of the square.

As the Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni stated, “at Venizelos Station, the largest archaeological site is being created as part of an international technical project. In 2023, the people of Thessaloniki will be able to be proud of having a state-of-the-art Metro, with station-museums that will showcase the living connection of their city with its present and its past.”

History of the excavation investigation

Archaeological research and work began in April 2006 at the same time as the technical work. The archaeological site that was uncovered during the excavation works is a timeless testimony of the urban organization of the city that has remained unchanged for 17 centuries, as reflected in the height of the main road that has always run through the city in approximately the same pattern: The Hellenistic road, the decumanus maximus of the Roman era and late antiquity, the Byzantine Avenue or Middle Street, the Fardys Dromos of the post-Byzantine period, the current Egnatia Street.

Archaeological findings from the Venizelos Station of the Thessaloniki Metro. A detachment phase.

During the first phase of the excavation investigation, a part of the secular city of late antiquity and Byzantine times was revealed with impressive completeness. It is the intersection of decumanus maximus and cardo (Venizelou Street), 6m. approximately lower than today’s junction.

Graphic representation of decumanus maximus and tetrapylus. Second half of the 4th c.

During the second phase of the excavation investigation, a number of remains were revealed, which related on the one hand to a dense network of hydraulic infrastructures under the decks of the decumanus maximus and cardo, on the other hand to a densely built web with superimposed phases on the building island southeast of the intersection of the two road axes.

The new findings covered a time horizon from the 3rd to the 5th/6th century. A.D.

Archaeological findings from the Venizelos Station of the Thessaloniki Metro. B detachment phase.

In 2022, the Central Archaeological Council gave a unanimous opinion in favor of preserving the ancient remains uncovered up to +3.50m altitude. during the 2nd phase of excavation investigation with their temporary detachment and repositioning as a single whole with the antiquities detached in the 1st phase (4th-9th century AD), as they complete the image of the urban fabric of the city at the intersection of the two streets demonstrating the sequence of residential phases. In parallel with the removal of the antiquities (phase 2), the excavation research continued (phase 3 and 4) from an altitude of +3.50m. up to the +2.00m level. The Central Archaeological Council has given an opinion in favor of the detachment of the remains, which constitute a single whole with completeness and continuity, in order to be transported and exhibited as a whole in the Crossover Museum at Fountain Station.

Read the News today and get the latest news.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.