Antiquities can coexist with Thessaloniki metro, says minister

Gazzetta team
Antiquities can coexist with Thessaloniki metro, says minister
It is technically feasible to keep the archaeological finds unearthed during the prolonged excavations for a new metro in Thessaloniki and complete the underground tunnels, Infrastructure, Transport and Networks Minister Christos Spirtzis said on Tuesday.

The minister was visiting the construction site on Venizelou avenue where the bulk of antiquities have been dug out, along with Thessaloniki mayor Yiannis Boutaris and the Chief Executive of “Attiko Metro” – the company undertaking the project - Christos Tsitouras.

"The archaeological finds are very important … I believe the archaeologists and the mechanical engineers will come up with the best solutions to secure everything you see around you, which is a treasure for Thessaloniki and the country, and … built the station without hurting the artifacts. I believe it’s technically very feasible and it will help the image of Thessaloniki,” the minister said.

On his side, the mayor of Thessaloniki expressed his satisfaction with Spirtzis’ view saying the coexistence of the antiquities and the metro is perfectly feasible. “I’m completely happy with that,” he noted.