Thessaloniki opens new metro featuring ancient artifacts and historical sites

ATHENS, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Thessaloniki's new metro system opened on Saturday, featuring stations that showcase ancient artifacts discovered during construction. These finds included a Byzantine market and a Roman cemetery, which initially delayed the project. Construction began in 2006 and faced setbacks due to funding issues during Greece's debt crisis. The metro is the first outside Athens and took nearly 20 years to complete, with builders digging deeper to avoid archaeological sites. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described the metro as a unique blend of public transport and a museum, allowing commuters to experience the city's rich history while traveling.