Thessaloniki was constructed in the fourth century BC and developed to become crucial to both the Roman and Byzantine empire. Was always characterised by its multicultural identity and by it being the second biggest and important city during the Byzantine period.

The recent case of the construction of Thessaloniki’s subway brought to light numerous findings. One of those was the remnants of two crucial Byzantine roads of 6,5 meters depth. Under the Egnatia road was the Decumanus Maximus of 77 meters in length, which connected the golden gate to the west with the Kassandreotiki to the east. Under the current Venizelou road was the Cardo Maximus of 20 meters in length, which connected the northern part of the walls with the port.

In the centre of the Cardo crossroad was a notable four-pillar gate, Tetrapylon, which acted historically as a marker of the commercial city centre.