The complex undertaking of the transfer and repositioning began at dawn – “It will emerge at the most central landmark”, declares the president of Attiko Metro
A unique landmark for the city of Thessaloniki is taking shape in the area of Agia Sophia, where the restoration of the archaeological site has been underway since dawn of the towering edifice, which had been detached in 2017, in order to proceed with the construction of the metro. The complex technical and sensitive project of transportation and relocation started in the early morning from the area of Kalochori, from the warehouses where the temporarily detached archaeological findings were kept, while until the afternoon, when the completion of the second phase of the relocation is planned – the third will follow in a week – the Traffic has implemented traffic regulations.
The antiquities uncovered during the construction work of the Metro at the station “Agia Sophia” were characterized as equal, if not greater, of scientific importance than the antiquities of the “Venizelos” station and already last week, in implementation of a unanimous decision of the Central Archaeological Council (KAS), the restoration of the cistern building at the northern entrance of the “Agia Sophia” station began, while earlier the restoration of the marble-paved square, the pilaster and the columns had been completed.
President of Attiko Metro Nikos Tachiaos: “The long-term adventure of Thessaloniki will come to an end at the end of 2023 with Metro and Archaia”
“The archaeological site of Makedonomahon Square in front of Achiropoitos, co-located with the entrance of Agia Sophia Station, will be the most central landmark,” the president of Attiko Metro, Nikos Tachiaos, said to APE-MBE, about the work of relocating the antiquities.
“The return of Krinaios to the archaeological site of the Agia Sophia Station is an example of the commitment whose implementation is personally coordinated by the two ministers, Mr. Karamanlis and Ms. Mendoni. The long adventure of Thessaloniki will come to an end at the end of 2023 with Metro and Archaia”, pointed out Mr. Tachiaos, adding that the corresponding procedure will follow at Venizelos station.
“In April 2023, the great project of return begins of the Venizelos Station findings on its first underground level, which, in derogation of the original study, will be built at the level at which they were found. The station will operate from the first moment as a living museum”, explained the president of Attiko Metro, expressing thanks to “all the executives of the Antiquities Tax Office of the City of Thessaloniki and the central services of the Ministry of Culture for the daily and flawless cooperation with Attiko Metro , as well as all those who with speed, dedication and unique diligence worked and will work to achieve the common goal, the realization of which we owe to the past and the future of the city”.
The story of the fountain
The monumental ensemble at the “Agia Sophia” station is the most imposing and luxurious architecture of the genre, that has been revealed so far in Thessaloniki, not only in terms of its dimensions but also in terms of its state of preservation.
The reconstruction of the fountain is placed in the years of the successors of Constantine I, in the same urban plan, as the marble-paved road. The pio-shaped nymphaeum belongs to the type with a theatrical facade (scaenae frons) and was rebuilt in contact with the northern building line of the decumanus maximus by removing part of the pavement and the northern portico of the street. In its original form it was straight. Later the side strands were added. The function of the nymphaeum was served by hydraulic infrastructures, a supply tank as well as a complex and dense network of pipelines, water supplies and sewers, which were built on the ruins of urban mansions of the 3rd-4th centuries. The monument shows continuous renovations throughout the 5th and 6th centuries.
In the construction phase, when the vertical lateral legs were added, a rectangular open tank was formed on its main face, at street level. In a later phase, a more formal terrace was formed, with a low open tank and marble basins, which rest on holographic lion heads. The vertical surfaces are covered either with embossed marble slabs or with plain marble slabs. The fountain continued to function until the earthquakes of the 7th century, when it was reconstructed as a small reservoir, on the western side of the original building, by reusing older marble members from the monument itself.
Traffic regulations
From 5 in the morning, the traffic regulations from the Thessaloniki Traffic Authority, regarding the facilitation of the transport and relocation of the archaeological finds, were put into effect and will be in effect until 6 in the afternoon. Specifically, the suspension of traffic of all vehicles was foreseen:
- On the westward course of Egnatias Street, from the height of Steph Street. Tatti to the height of Menelaou Bakatselou street.
- In the left traffic lane of Egnatias Street, in the eastbound direction, from the height of Aristotelous Square to the height of Mitr Street. Gennadiou.
- The traffic of all vehicles on Egnatia Street, in the westbound flow is conducted with a temporary reaction of the middle traffic lane of the eastbound flow. The traffic of all vehicles on Egnatia Street, in the eastbound traffic flow, is conducted from the right traffic lane of the same traffic flow.
RES-EMP
Read the News today and get the latest news.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.
I have worked as a journalist for over 10 years, and my work has been featured on many different news websites. I am also an author, and my work has been published in several books. I specialize in opinion writing, and I often write about current events and controversial topics. I am a very well-rounded writer, and I have a lot of experience in different areas of journalism. I am a very hard worker, and I am always willing to put in the extra effort to get the job done.
