Narrative of a gallery
…100+ years old
The area of the Gallery, in the coastal zone of Neos Panteleimon is hailed as a ‘’landmark’’, indicative of the Modern Industrial Architecture. Situated on the northern side of the hill of the Castle of Platamon, it basically constitutes the open , arched northern part of the old railway line, in continuation of the closed part of Platamon Tunnel.
Platamon...
Platamon is built on the location of the ancient town Irakleia/Irakleion, which was in turn built by ancient royals of Macedonia. It took its name after the mythical hero Hercules (Iraklis). In ancient times it was actually a port. Today though, only a part of the walls of ancient Irakleia is preserved on the foothills of the Castle. In 12th century, it takes the name Platanea because of the numerous sycamore trees in the area.
With the changing of names, it came to take its current name Platamonas, meaning Wide Seashore (Plati Gialos) or Wιde Sand (Platia Ammos). There are, of course, sources that suggest the origin of the name date back to Homer in antiquity, where the name itself refers to ‘’ a stone dried by the sea’’.
…Πρώτη πόλις Μακεδονίας Ηράκλειον…
Σκύλας ο Καρναδέας 360 π.Χ.
13th century
FRANCOCRACY
The Castle of Platamon was built by the Venetians in 1204 under the commands of Roland Piskia, near the sea on the ruins of ancient Irakleia. Due to its strategic position, it was later seized by the Byzantines.
14th - 15th century
TURKOCRACY
In the end of 14th century, the Turks conquered Platamon (what is now Palaios Panteleimon), along with the Castle. For a short period it was won by the Venetians (July 1425 A.D.) after heavily bombarding it, causing extensive damage. They later restored it only to be conquered a net by the Turks, who in turn preserved it in good condition, fortifying its strategic significance with redevelopments and additions.
1821 – 1912
THE GREEK REVOLUTION
The Castle remains under Turkish authority throughout Turkocracy because of its strategic importance. In 1912 A.D. the Greek army commences a liberating campaign seizing rthe Castle of Platamon.
1916
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE GALLERY
The liberation of Macedonia and its union with the rest of Greece led to the construction of the railway and the Gallery of Platamon in 1916, which was initially a junction railway between Papapouliou-Larissa-Plateos Imathia. The railway connected Larissa’s Railway with the network of S.M. (Chemins de fer Salonique a Monastir) in Macedonia, and consequently, joined the capital with the rest of Europe. The lack of road network at the time rendered the train the only means of transport.
2004
EVACUATING THE GALLERY
Since 2004 the New Railway line passes through Platamon via a new Gallery of more than 4 km. The old railway line which run through areas of unparalleled natural beauty is abandoned and regarded as a ‘’historical area’’. It is prime example of 20th century industrial architecture, and nowdays it can only be crossed on foot.
2016
RENAISSANCE OF THE GALLERY 100years later
ASIA MINOR CATASTROPHE
After the Asia Minor Catastrophe in 1922 and the population exchange, refugees came by train in the area from Asia Minor and settled initially along the railway lines.
WORLD WAR II
The area of Platamon constitutes the 2nd military line of resistance with fortification during the Second World War. On April 13th 1941 a great attack against the German Infantry takes place. The battle lasted 3 days. New Zealand regiments took part in the Battle.
They met strong opposition from the German forces who used tanks and airplanes. While leaving the Allied powers bombed the Gallery with a view to cutting of the transportation of German soldiers and ammunition to the South. 1944 was the year the area was liberated from German bondage, which in turn signified the end of the War.
1941
WORLD WAR II
Photo Gallery
…one quiet evening, a submarine, believed by the locals to be the Papanikolis, suddenly appeared in the sea, opposite the railway station. It hit the Platamonas railway station and German outposts with its cannon, causing great confusion among the Germans, and then it submerged again.
ORIENT EXPRESS
In the end of the 19th century, travelling from Europe to the Ottoman Empire was long - lasting and exhausting. Every country had developed its own independent railway network. Upon arrival at the borders, passengers were called to disembark from the train and cross the borders on foot. The revolutionary idea belonged to a Belgian enterpreneur called Georges Nagelmackers, who created the Orient Express. Its train service began on October 4th 1883.
ORIENT EXPRESS THROUGH THE GALLERY OF PLATAMON
In the 1920's additional railway lines were initiated, one of which was Alberg - Orient Express 1930-1939 1945-1962 Its final destination was Athens, so it passed through the Gallery of Platamon
THE END OF THE ORIENT EXPRESS
By the mid 1970’s the glory days of the Orient Express had reached their end. Although it continued to offer high quality services it failed to cater to the need of speed. The last journey took place on May the 20th 1977.
ORIENT EXPRESS &
LIFESTYLE
The voyage lasted several days during which passengers could relax in their velvet chambers, which were fully equipped with a bathroom, an office and comfortable beds.
In the restaurant the could savor their beverage as well as their office meal of choice.
ORIENT EXPRESS
ART
1934
LITERATURE
Book covers
Murder on the
Orient Express, 1934
1974
CINEMA
Movie
Murder on the
Orient Express, 1974
Movie poster 1974
1974
TELEVISION SERIES
TV series
Murder on the
Orient Express, 2010
1974
THEATRE
Theatrical performance Murder on the Orient Express, 2017
TRAIN & MODERNIZATION
Tachographs with counters for measuring train speed
RAILWAY MUSEUM OF THESSALONIKI
Telegraphs on a wooden base for intercom at passenger stations
RAILWAY MUSEUM OF THESSALONIKI
Oil lanterns with filters for train stop and start signal
RAILWAY MUSEUM OF THESSALONIKI
Wall-mounted telephones installed at passenger stations for internal use
RAILWAY MUSEUM OF THESSALONIKI
Official uniforms of stationmasters from different countries and periods, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria, Serbia respectively
RAILWAY MUSEUM OF THESSALONIKI
Locomotive marking plates with embossed elements with the model and number in use on S.E.K. trains.
RAILWAY MUSEUM OF THESSALONIKI
TRAIN & SONGS
"The trains that left"
(1965)
Music: Stavros Xarchakos,
Lyrics: Vangelis Goufas & Vasilis Andreopoulos,
Performance: Vicky Moscholiou
«The trains that left
my loves took
my loves and cry
what fate befell them?...»
«The train leaves at eight»
(1968)
Music: Mikis Theodorakis,
Lyrics: Manos Eleftheriou,
Performance: Maria Dimitriadi
« The train leaves at eight
journey to Katerini
November will not remain
don't remember at eight
don't remember at eight
the train to Katerini
November will not remain...»
«The old clock»
(1968)
Music: Manos Loizos,
Lyrics: Lefteris Papadopoulos,
Performance: Stamatis Kokotas
« The old clock of the small station
stood at the time of parting
had fallen and you were kissing me
you were looking at the trains and not speaking...»
«The train never left
for Katerini»
(1980)
Music: Mikis Theodorakis,
Lyrics: Manos Eleftheriou,
Performance: Maria Dimitriadi
«The train never left
for Katerini we all stayed at the station
lost train drivers
lost and the moon
lost and everything I had to tell you...»
«The Ghost Train»
(1993)
Music: Xylina Spathia
Lyrics: Pavlos Pavlidis,
Performance: Xylina Spathia
« …on the ghost train
in the night I will get lost
in the desert at a magical party
over the cliff of the sky I will pass
ghost train with an erased number …”
«The train finally arrives in Katerini»
(1998)
Music: Haris Papadopoulos,
Lyrics: Manolis Rasoulis,
Performance: Katerina Siapanda
« …the train finally arrives deep
in Katerini
love in dreams
and nitroglycerin …”
TRAIN & MOVIES
«Urban Rebels»
(1972)
Director: Dimis Dadiras,
Screenplay: Giannis Maris,
Music: Kostas Kapnisis,
Production: Karagiannis
Starring: Elena Nathanail,
Miranda Kounelaki,
Manos Katrakis,
Yiannis Fertis
« ...the real
Operation
Rainbow...
is the bombing
of the train
at Platamonas..."
