Thessalonikeon Metropolis

About the museum

The museum “Thessalonikeon Metropolis” was inaugurated on 9 May 2026 and opened to the public the following day. It houses antiquities found during the excavations for the construction of the Thessaloniki Metro, which yielded more than 300,000 portable finds and extensive building remains. Its name comes from an inscription of the 3rd century AD that came to light at the site of Venizelos station.

The museum is located in the Pavlos Melas Metropolitan Park, in the listed barracks building A3 of the former military camp. The building belongs to late 19th-century military architecture and was listed as a monument in 2003. Its restoration and conversion into a museum space began in 2023 and were funded by the Recovery Fund. The exhibition was designed and installed by the Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Thessaloniki.

The exhibition covers the continuous settlement of the city from its foundation in 316/5 BC to the fire of 1917. The ground floor presents finds from the area outside the historic walls, while the upper floor houses finds from inside the walls, in chronological order. The display cases contain vessels, jewellery, coins, mosaics, wall paintings, architectural elements, tools, everyday objects and funerary finds.

Highlights

• Finds from the excavations of the Thessaloniki Metro
• History of the city from 316/5 BC to 1917
• Mosaics, wall paintings and funerary finds
• Vessels, jewellery and coins
• Ground floor with finds from outside the walls, upper floor with finds from inside
• Activities for children in the family area

Permanent exhibition

• Μόνιμη έκθεση «Θεσσαλονικέων Μητρόπολις» – Finds from the Metro excavations that tell the story of the city from its foundation to 1917: the ground floor is devoted to the area outside the walls and the upper floor to the area inside them.

Founded

2026

Operated by

Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού – Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Πόλης Θεσσαλονίκης

Admission & discounts

Free admission: 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October and every first and third Sunday of the month from 1 November to 31 March.

Tickets are also available online via tickets.hh.gr.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum has a ramp, a lift and accessible toilets.

Kids & families

• Playground / play area

The museum has a family area with puzzles, board games and creative activities for young children.

Getting there & parking

The museum is inside the Pavlos Melas Metropolitan Park, which has a car park. From Plateia Aristotelous it is about 20 minutes by car.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Refreshment kiosk and shop with replicas of exhibits, books and gift items; Wi-Fi for visitors.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit