Heritage Alert: In situ preservation of antiquities at the Venizelos Metro Station in Thessaloniki, Greece

During the construction of the metro in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second metropolis, a major archaeological site was found in 2013 at the location of the future “Venizelos Station”. Within a vast area of approximately 1500m2 the excavation brought to light part of the Roman marble paved avenue (Decumanus Maximus), its interaction with the cardo, the main road of the city, as well as workshops, and bazaar-style stalls on both sides of the road, organized in large building blocks, and parts of a monumental paved square surrounded by colonnades. The whole complex forms a remarkable architectural palimpsest that traces the layout and organization of the urban core of Thessaloniki from late antiquity up to the transitional period and the beginning of the Middle Byzantine times (4th – 9th century AD).

A Ministerial Decision issued in 2017 provided for the in situ preservation and enhancement of the whole archaeological complex, while, at the same time, the construction works for the Metro Station could proceed as scheduled. However, based on a new Ministerial Decision issued in March 2020, the monuments complex will be detached and temporarily removed and will be placed back when the station’s construction works are completed. Recently (23/09/2020) the Central Archaeological Council approved the final technical study for the removal of the Venizelos Station antiquities and their repositioning after the completion of the metro construction works.

ICOMOS Hellenic and many heritage and scientific associations and organizations consider that this is an alarming situation since the implementation of the new Ministerial Decision will lead to the fragmentation of the monument, the cancellation of its cultural value and, finally, to the loss of its authenticity, thus causing an irreversible damage to this unique and singularly significant archaeological complex. The effort to prevent such an evolution is strongly supported by many local, national and international institutions, experts and authorities.

ICOMOS Hellenic appeals for the preservation and maintenance in situ of the Venizelos Station antiquities according to the 2017 Ministerial Decision, taking into consideration that this outstanding architectural ensemble constitutes an integral part of the history of the city of Thessaloniki and of the world cultural heritage. This solution aligns with the principles of the main global heritage conventions of UNESCO, the Venice Charter (1964), as well as the Conventions of Amsterdam (1975), of Granada (1987) and of Valetta (1994).