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SKG

Open-air
museum

Tiles of history

The archaeological diamonds
revealed by the Thessaloniki
metro works. Τα αρχαιολογικά
διαμάντια που έφεραν στο φως
οι ανασκαφές στο μετρό της
Θεσσαλονίκης.

by Polyxeni Adam-Veleni
Archaeologist / Theatrologist
Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of
Thessaloniki

Metro 2018: Southern entrance of Aghia
Sofia station. Further excavation under
the semi-circular square dating from the
6th century A.D. has unearthed a section
of a large building structure which was
most probably a luxurious urban villa.
From this structure, a large mosaic floor
was revealed, along with the west wing
of a large portico gallery, in the middle of
which stood a circular medal adorned with
mosaics featuring Venus semi-reclining
with Cupid on her shoulder. Only part of
the goddess’ body and her companions’
head and arm have survived, as well as part
of the daybed decorated with the head of a
Medusa. The structure also featured state-
of-the-art baths with subterranean heating
areas, of which only the hypocaust and the
swimming pools survive. From various
findings (mainly coins and pottery) the
structure has been dated to the second half
of the 4th century, while its existence and
operation spans within the 5th century.
It was then destroyed and covered by
the semi-circular square created after
the rebuilding and reconstruction works
that took place during the reign of
Byzantine Emperor Justinian. Additional

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