New Thessaloniki Railway Station
The New Thessaloniki Railway Station is the main central passenger railway station and terminal of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city. It is located in the central quarter of Xirokrini on Monastiriou StreetInaugurated on 12 June 1961, the passenger station replaced the old and much smaller passenger station which now handles the city's cargo rail, hence the name "new railway station" which has stayed on since.
As of 2020, long-distance trains from New Thessaloniki Railway Station are run by TrainOSE to Athens, Alexandroupoli and Larissa; other long-distance operators include. Bulgarian Railways, Serbian Railways and Makedonski Železnici, to Sofia, Belgrade and Skopje respectly. In addition, Proastiakos Thessaloniki runs suburban commuter trains in and around Thessaly and Western Macedonia. Although largely unchanged since the 1960s, it remains the largest and busiest railway station built in Greece, and one of the most important works of modern architecture in the country. A metro station is currently also under construction at the station, to connect the New Thessaloniki Railway Station with the city’s new Metro system.
History
The architectural tender for the New Railway Station, to replace the now outdated Old Thessaloniki railway station was announced in 1935 construction began 26 October 1937 following an international architectural design competition that was carried out at the time and won by German architect Hans Kleinschmidt, a notable runner-up was Nikolaos Mitsakis. Kleinschmidt‘s complete designs were never realised as they were later changed by other architects, but formed the base for what the station would later become. The main concrete shell of the building was completed before the Second World War, but construction was halted when Greece entered the war. Although the building was bombed throughout the early 1940s, it did not sustain heavy damage.Following the war, the station saw no development for over 20 years, however the station began to operate in a substandard manner, while the old station continued to function as the city’s railway terminus. In 1958 the project was restarted, headed by Greek architects Molfesi and Papagianni, who made changes to the original design by Kleinschmidt, with a more modernist style. The project was finally completed and handed over to the Ministry of Public Works three years later, and Inaugurated on 12 June 1961, On it’s completion the station, occupied an area of 90 acres, making it one of the largest railway stations in the Balkens.
The station has remained largely unchanged since that time, although minor additions have occurred, such as the construction of a shopping center adjacent to the waiting hall and the installation of escalators for access to the platforms. In April 2006, the construction works of the Thessaloniki Metro began, with most recent addition to the station the construction of a metro station that is to form part of the New railway station complex. In late 2019 the Merto station was open to the public for guided tours, as part of Open House Thessaloniki.
In February 2011, the station suffered a loss of importance given the suspension of all rail links to international destinations. In 2014, however, international connections were partially restored with twice-daily trains to Sofia, and the reinstatement of the over-night train to Skopje and Belgrade. As of January 2020 the Friendship Express to Istanbul remains suspended.
Future
Apart from the creation of a subway station, the Hellenic Railways Organization, which owns the New railway station, has announced its intentions to give a general overhaul to the station. The plans will include the creation of a 150-bed hotel and regional offices of the Hellenic Railways Organization. Until now, no official statement has been given on the matter.Services
Between July 2005 and February 2011 the Friendship Express, and TrainOSE S.A. linking Istanbul's Sirkeci Terminal, Turkey and Greece terminated at New Thessaloniki Railway Station.| Previous station | National services | Next station |
| Terminus | Proastiakos commuter rail: Thessaloniki-Larissa | Sindos towards: Larissa |
| Terminus | Proastiakos commuter rail Thessaloniki-Edessa | Sindos towards: Edessa |
| Terminus | TrainOSE InterCity rail: Thessaloniki-Athens | Platy towards: Athens |
| Terminus | TrainOSE: Thessaloniki-Alexandroupoli | Filadelfeia towards: Alexandroupoli |
| Terminus | TrainOSE: Thessaloniki-Kalampaka | Sindos towards: Kalampaka |
| Previous station | International services | Next station |
| Terminus | TrainOSE/BDŽ: Thessaloniki-Sofia | Kilkis towards: Sofia |
| Terminus | TrainOSE/MŽ/ŽS: Thessaloniki-Skopje-Belgrade | Polykastro towards: Belgrade |
| Previous station | Suspended services | Next station |
| Terminus | TrainOSE/TCDD: Thessaloniki-Istanbul | Kilkis towards: Istanbul |
Facilities
The Station currently features large waiting areas, a central hall with cafes, restaurants, a small chapel and a shopping centre within an 1960s era building. The staffed station has staffed ticket offices luggage lockers There is a taxi rank and Parking in the forecourt.On the platforms, seating is available under the original 1960’s modernist canopy’s.Discussions are underway for the expansion of the station and a general overhaul, which will also include a hotel and a revamp of the central offices of the OSE for northern Greece.
Transportation
Currently, the only means of transportation to and from the New railway station are the public bus services of the Thessaloniki Urban Transport Organization and by hiring a private taxi. Line 78 of OASTH connects the railway station with Macedonia InterCity Bus Terminal and Macedonia International Airport. A Thessaloniki Metro station is currently under construction at the New railway station, which upon completion, will connect the train station with the city's metro network. The subway station is set to open in 2014.The station provides minimal parking space, although two new underground parking facilities, with four floors each are currently under construction as part of the Thessaloniki Metro project. When completed, they will provide parking space for 450 and 600 cars respectively, with a total capacity of 1050 cars.