Palace of Aigai: Greece reopens huge Alexander the Great monument

The Palace of Aigai, a significant monument in classical antiquity where Alexander the Great was crowned king, has reopened after a 16-year restoration near Greece’s northern port city of Thessaloniki. Built over 2,300 years ago by Philip II, Alexander’s father, the palace was later destroyed by the Romans and rediscovered in the 19th Century through excavations.

The extensive €20m restoration, with support from the EU, includes the refurbishment of massive colonnades. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, at the reopening ceremony, emphasized the global importance of the monument, which will be open to the public starting Sunday.

The Palace of Aigai, located near the present-day town of Vergina, served as the capital of the powerful kingdom of Macedonia. Constructed by Philip II, the palace was the largest building in classical Greece, covering 15,000 square meters. It boasted expansive banquet halls, places of worship, and courtyards. In 336BC, Alexander the Great was crowned King of the Macedonians at this site after his father’s assassination. The palace, along with the nearby tombs of Philip and other Macedonian kings, is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflecting its historical significance.

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