Beneath Greece’s bustling cities and expanding infrastructure, an ancient world waits to be uncovered. In a country where civilization has thrived for millennia, every new metro tunnel, highway, or airport runs the risk of colliding with archaeology. A subway excavation reveals a Byzantine marketplace, construction of a highway uncovers an ancient Roman road, and engineers mapping an airport site stumble upon the ruins of a 4,000-year-old Bronze Age structure. The challenge is constant: how does a modern nation progress without erasing the past?

This dilemma plays out most vividly in Greece’s major infrastructure projects, from the Athens and Thessaloniki metro lines to the new international airport in Crete. Each initiative forces authorities to navigate the delicate balance between economic development and archaeological preservation – sometimes in ways that spark fierce debate.

How does Greece manage this tightrope act? What does it mean for cities where history runs as deep as their foundations? And what lessons can the world learn from a country that must build the future without erasing the past?

Thessaloniki Metro – A Subterranean Time Capsule

Few infrastructure projects illustrate the push and pull between history and progress more vividly than Thessaloniki’s metro system. Launched in 2003 and initially slated for completion by 2012, the project instead turned into one of Greece’s most extraordinary archaeological excavations. Over 300,000 artifacts spanning Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman eras were unearthed beneath the densely populated city, transforming burgeoning metro stations into unexpected dig sites.

“This project offers a remarkable blend of the ancient and modern, integrating archaeological heritage with metro infrastructure,” said Christos Staikouras, Greece’s transport and infrastructure minister, ahead of the metro’s long-awaited opening in late November 2024.

Some of the most striking discoveries emerged from stations in the historic center, most notably Venizelou and Aghia Sofia, where archaeologists uncovered layers of history stretching back to Thessaloniki’s founding under Cassander in the 4th century BC. The most astonishing find was a well-preserved section of the Decumanus Maximus, a Roman thoroughfare once teeming with merchants and travelers. At Aghia Sofia station, beautifully preserved Late Roman mosaics hinted at the grandeur of an ancient villa that once stood on the site.

Faced with the challenge of preserving these invaluable artifacts while keeping the metro project moving forward, the Central Archaeological Council (KAS), Greece’s supreme advisory body for all matters pertaining to the “protection of antiquities and cultural patrimony in general,” made an unprecedented decision: rather than relocate the finds to museums, they would integrate portions of them into the stations themselves, effectively transforming public transport hubs into mini subterranean museums.

At Venizelou Station, where excavations revealed a remarkably intact Byzantine streetscape and marketplace, the government’s handling of the artifacts became a flashpoint. Successive administrations wavered between preserving the antiquities in place and removing them to expedite construction. After intense debate and pushback from archaeologists and the public, the government settled on a compromise – removing and later reinstalling the artifacts at a slightly lower depth within the station. Today, the site stands as a unique blend of modern infrastructure and ancient urban history, offering metro passengers a window into the city’s past as they move through its present.

After 12 years of delays, the Thessaloniki Metro finally opened in late 2024. While critics argue that preservation efforts slowed the city’s development, others see it as a necessary price to pay for safeguarding an irreplaceable legacy. What is clear, however, is that Thessaloniki’s metro is no longer just about transportation – it has become a testament to the city’s enduring place at the crossroads of civilizations.

Athens Metro – Layers Beneath the Capital

Athens, a city where history permeates every corner, faced a similar challenge in the 1990s while expanding its metro own system. Excavations unearthed thousands of artifacts, including ancient cemeteries, pottery, and sections of the city’s classical road network.

Unlike Thessaloniki, where the debate over artifact preservation was long and contentious, Athens found an innovative compromise: many discoveries were preserved in situ within metro stations, transforming them into public exhibitions. Today, commuters passing through Syntagma and Monastiraki stations can view ancient ruins, turning an ordinary commute into a journey through history.

A striking example can be found in the newly opened metro station at Piraeus. In a domed passageway, visitors and commuters can study display panels and look down through glass floors at a mosaic from a 4th-century BC house, surrounded by ceramics and other domestic artifacts. “We are giving passengers a glimpse of daily life in ancient Piraeus,” said archaeologist Stella Chryssoulaki.

Speaking to The Guardian, one urban planner described Athens’ metro as “a perfect marriage of the ancient and the modern – public transportation in Athens isn’t just a means of getting from A to B, it’s a journey through history.”

But it isn’t just the metro that uncovers archaeological treasures. In December 2024, excavation work on Erechtheiou Street, near the Acropolis, revealed an extraordinary find: a well-preserved white marble statue of a nude male figure, resembling the famed Hermes Ludovisi. Buried just a meter below street level, the late Roman-era statue was discovered at the corner of Erechtheiou and Kallisperi Streets.

According to Elena Kountouri, head of the Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens, the statue might have belonged to a larger ensemble, possibly connected to one of the significant architectural complexes in the area, such as the House of Proclus – a late Roman villa from the 5th century AD. Other statues and artifacts may yet follow.

Archaeologists swiftly removed the statue for conservation and further study, ensuring that the road was reopened and the city’s infrastructure was not significantly disrupted. The discovery serves as a powerful reminder that beneath Athens’ bustling modern streets, layers of ancient history remain hidden, waiting to be revealed.

Crete’s Airport Development – A Clash of Eras

The challenge of integrating ancient artifacts into modern infrastructure extends beyond urban transit projects and gas pipelines. In 2024, during excavation work for the new Kastelli Airport in Crete, archaeologists made a stunning discovery: a 4,000-year-old monumental circular structure atop Papoura Hill, believed to be from the Minoan Bronze Age (early to mid-2nd millennium BC).

The 48-meter-wide structure consists of concentric stone-built rings forming an exterior stepped “crepidoma” (multi-level platform) and a central circular building. Surrounding this core are radial walls creating smaller rooms in a labyrinthine layout.

“It is definitely not a signal tower,” clarified Vasso Sythiakaki, head of the Irakleio Ephorate of Antiquities. “Nor does it relate to the worship of Zeus and Rhea, as has been written. The monument is clearly Minoan.” Yet its exact purpose remains a mystery. “That’s the million-dollar question,” she added. “It is still too early to know. The excavation is ongoing. Whatever we say now will not be scientifically substantiated.”

The discovery immediately threw the airport’s construction into flux. After much debate, and given the significance of the find, the Greek government decided to relocate the airport’s radar tower. Additionally, more than 35 archaeological sites have been investigated and documented as part of the airport project. Some have been excavated and backfilled, while others have been relocated. “Very interesting findings have been discovered, and the best will be exhibited in a museum to be created in the airport building,” Sythiakaki stated.

Piraeus’ Underwater Antiquities Museum – A Design Rooted in Transformation

On the bustling waterfront of Piraeus, a remarkable transformation is taking place. The National Museum of Underwater Antiquities, set to open in 2026, will breathe new life into the historic SILO building – a vast grain warehouse from the 1930s – by converting it into a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to Greece’s maritime past.

This ambitious project, part of the Piraeus Cultural Coast Project, is a striking example of adaptive reuse. Rather than demolish the imposing industrial structure, architects and preservationists are reimagining it as a modern exhibition space, preserving its historic character while adapting it for public engagement. The museum will showcase shipwrecks, the remnants of lost cargoes, and artifacts retrieved from the depths of the Mediterranean, offering a glimpse into the seafaring traditions that shaped ancient Greece. Visitors will engage with interactive exhibits, multimedia installations, and cutting-edge displays that bring Greece’s maritime history to life.

By repurposing this industrial relic into a dynamic cultural landmark, the project highlights Greece’s forward-thinking approach to heritage conservation. The National Museum of Underwater Antiquities’ prime location on the Piraeus waterfront ensures that the past remains a vital part of the city’s evolving urban landscape.

The Cost of Preservation: A Necessary Investment?

Greece’s commitment to heritage preservation is reinforced by stringent legal protections, requiring developers to assess and safeguard cultural assets during construction. Under the ever-watchful eye of the Ministry of Culture, these policies ensure the survival of invaluable relics but often come at a financial and logistical cost.

Construction projects – from metro expansions to hotel complexes and even private homes – frequently encounter ancient remains, forcing developers to adjust plans, conduct excavations, or even redesign entire structures. This can delay construction and drive-up costs, creating tensions between urban expansion and archaeological conservation.

Yet, these efforts yield long-term benefits. In situ exhibitions within metro stations and heritage-themed hotels that preserve on-site ruins can enhance cultural tourism, drawing visitors eager to experience Greece’s layered past. Public-private partnerships and EU funding have helped offset costs, ensuring preservation remains financially viable. However, balancing growth with protection remains an ongoing challenge.

A Model for the World?

Despite these challenges, Greece has set a global standard for integrating archaeology with modern development. The Thessaloniki and Athens metro projects serve as blueprints for other historic cities like Rome and Istanbul, demonstrating that urban expansion and heritage preservation need not be mutually exclusive.

As new infrastructure reshapes Greece’s landscape, the country’s experience underscores a fundamental truth: development is not just about constructing buildings but about respecting the layers of history beneath them. Strict building codes ensure that even domestic houses and hotel complexes must adhere to archaeological protocols, reinforcing Greece’s deep-rooted commitment to its past.

Technological innovations have also aided in preservation efforts. Advances in digital mapping and 3D reconstruction allow archaeologists to document and display artifacts virtually, reducing the need for costly in-situ preservation. These techniques offer a promising avenue for future projects, ensuring that Greece continues to honor its past while building for the future.

Urban expansion in Greece is a delicate dance between progress and preservation. The question is no longer whether history and modernity can coexist, but how best to make them thrive together.