The Venizelos station will forever be a place of archaeological crime for the history of Thessaloniki, reminds the Association of Greek Archaeologists in its announcement on the occasion of the official opening of the Thessaloniki Metro on Saturday, November 30, and also today’s government fiesta in the presence of Prime Minister K. mitsotakis.
The SEA points out that the Venizelos station “will forever be a sad reminder of the categorical refusal of the Greek state to trust the capabilities of the country’s technical world, in favor of ‘fason’ solutions that cost an exorbitant amount of time and money. It will always remind that the Byzantine antiquities of Thessaloniki did not deserve the solutions that have been implemented in othre metros such as that of Sofia,Constantinople,Italy,and even Athens.it will be a monument to the mismanagement and waste of public resources, reminding in perpetuity what the instrumental use of antiquities for the benefit of other purposes, and especially profit, means”
The SEA announcement
At which altar were the antiquities of the Venizelos station in the Thessaloniki Metro sacrificed?
Tomorrow, according to the announcements, the basic line of the Thessaloniki metro, which crosses the historic city center, will be handed over to the citizens of Thessaloniki. We are obliged to remind, especially for Venizelos Station, the following:
Venizelos station will forever be a place of archaeological crime for the history of Thessaloniki.
It will forever be a sad reminder of the categorical refusal of the Greek state to trust the capabilities of the country’s technical world, in favor of “fashionable” solutions that cost an exorbitant amount of time and money. It will always remind that the Byzantine antiquities of Thessaloniki did not deserve the solutions that have been implemented in other metros such as that of Sofia, Constantinople, Italy, and even Athens. it will be a monument to the mismanagement and waste of public resources, reminding in perpetuity what the instrumental use of antiquities for the benefit of other people’s purposes, and especially profit, means.
-Recently the Ministry of Culture,the Ministry of Transport and the Attica Metro have indulged in a crescendo of supposed “recognition” of the importance of Thessaloniki’s Byzantine past. This attitude can only be characterized as an immoral distraction and an insult to our intelligence, when the same political leaderships did not appreciate and did not respect the truly unique Byzantine find of the era of the ”reigning” Thessaloniki. They refused to treat it as an immovable monument and permanently removed its authenticity. We remind you that as 2012, when the unique archaeological site was revealed, both the leadership of the YPPO and the leadership of the ministry of Transport even hid its existence, while they had issued a decision to detach the Byzantine crossroads and transfer it for exhibition in the camp Pavlou Mela! The importance of the archeological site of the Venizelos station became known internationally exclusively thanks to the struggle started by the Association of Greek Archaeologists and actively supported by the Municipality of Thessaloniki with the presence of the late Yiannis Boutaris.
-None of what was said as “arguments” for the destructive removal of the antiquities was ultimately valid, neither in terms of delivery time, nor in terms of the cost of the project.The project was not completed either in april 2023, or at the end of 2023, as Attiko Metro and the leadership of the Ministry of Interior assured the citizens of Thessaloniki that it would happen after the removal of the antiquities. Attiko Metro claimed in writing to the Council of Ministers in 2020 that its technical solution for the conservation of antiquities by country would cost 90 million euros,an amount it claimed at the time was prohibitive for the project. Attiko Metro itself has now agreed to compensation of 93 million. euros to the Contractor in just two months (october and November 2024). We also remind you of the risk that, if the project was not completed by 31/12/2023, the European Union would demand that the NSRF funds be returned, a risk that was conveniently “forgotten” by its initiators, now that the entire project from 1/1/ 2024 is paid exclusively from national resources.
-In contrast,what happened was what we had warned about from the beginning: rather of delivering 12 of the 13 stations to the passenger public on time,all the stations were delayed and finaly the cost of the project exceeded all logic,as already in 2019 the fate of the 12 already of constructed stations was linked to the reversal of progress at the venizelos station. A great chance was thus lost for the city of Thessaloniki, which suffered for many more years, not of course because of the antiquities, but because of the political decision to change the design of the entire project, and not in one station, as it was presented.
-Our colleagues did everything they coudl, within the destructive design of the detachment-relocation of such an vital archaeological site, so that it would not be destroyed along with the authenticity and scientific value of the monuments, which would not even return to their original position if all this long struggle for their salvation had not taken place. no celebration befits the Minister of Culture for an archaeological site that could stand authentically, instead of being replaced by a representation of itself. This is a deplorable practise that is at the opposite of international principles for the protection of monuments and is opposed – with sad exceptions – by the scientific community as a whole.
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What challenges did the Thessaloniki Metro face regarding archaeological preservation at Venizelos station?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Archaeology Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today we have an esteemed guest, Dr. Eleni Papadopoulos, a noted expert in archaeology and cultural heritage. We’re discussing a rather contentious topic that has recently emerged with the opening of the Thessaloniki Metro, specifically focusing on the Venizelos station. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Papadopoulos!
Dr. Papadopoulos: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss this notable issue.
Editor: The inauguration of the Thessaloniki Metro has been overshadowed by critiques regarding the Venizelos station, which the Association of Greek Archaeologists has labeled a “place of archaeological crime.” could you elaborate on their concerns?
Dr. papadopoulos: Certainly. the concerns raised highlight a significant misalignment between contemporary urban progress and the preservation of cultural heritage. The Association believes that the decisions made around the Venizelos station represent a failure to integrate modern infrastructure with the past importance of Byzantine antiquities found in the area. They argue this reflects a broader pattern of neglect towards local expertise in favor of more fashionable or externally inspired solutions.
Editor: The proclamation from the SEA suggests that this station will stand as a monument to mismanagement and waste of public resources. What specifically do they mean by that?
Dr. Papadopoulos: They are referring to the extensive delays and financial burdens associated with the construction of the Metro as a direct result of inadequate planning. As a notable example, other cities, like Sofia and even Athens, have found innovative ways to incorporate archaeological finds into their metro systems without such drastic consequences. the SEA believes that the Venizelos station should have been approached with similar foresight, but instead, it has become emblematic of poor decision-making that sacrifices historical integrity for expediency.
Editor: It seems there’s a strong sentiment that the local technical expertise was overlooked. What might have been different had that expertise been prioritized?
Dr. Papadopoulos: Had the government trusted and invested in local archaeological expertise, we could have seen solutions that harmonize urban transit with heritage preservation. This could mean better designs that accommodate the location of antiquities, possibly allowing for excavation and display of artifacts rather than simply burying or ignoring them.
Editor: That raises questions about how urban development can coexist with archaeological integrity. What are the lessons other cities can learn from Thessaloniki’s experience?
Dr. Papadopoulos: The experience of Thessaloniki serves as a cautionary tale. It underscores the importance of conducting thorough archaeological assessments before large-scale urban projects begin. Cities should aim to involve archaeologists in the planning stages to create integrative designs that celebrate cultural heritage rather than compromising it. There needs to be a holistic approach that commits both to development and preservation.
Editor: With the opening of the Metro drawing attention to these issues, do you beleive there’s a chance for constructive dialog moving forward?
Dr. Papadopoulos: I hope so. Public awareness is growing, and with it, an gratitude for the importance of preserving our cultural heritage amidst modernization. Engaging citizens, local experts, and the government in dialogue can create pathways towards better practices in future infrastructure projects. The situation with the Venizelos station can serve as a springboard for discussing these issues more broadly.
editor: Thank you, Dr. Papadopoulos, for your insights. It’s clear that the conversation about urban development and archaeological preservation is far from over, particularly in a historic city like Thessaloniki.
Dr. Papadopoulos: Thank you for having me! It’s vital that we continue these discussions and work towards solutions that honor our shared history while embracing the future.