CNN: UNESCO-listed Ancient City of Vergina, Greece, has Incredible Back Story

The entrance to the Royal Tombs and the on-site museum of Vergina. Photo © wikipedia.org

CNN has included the archaeological site of Vergina in Greece among the 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites that have a fascinating history and are worth the visit.

Royal necropolis of Vergina: The tomb of king Philip II. Photo © Wikimedia Commons

According to CNN, the stories associated with the selected UNESCO-listed sites are “not necessarily the prettiest or the most famous, but they’ll certainly grant you a passport back in time”.

Aigai (Vergina, Greece)

Aigai, the capital of the ancient Macedonian kingdom, lay underneath the present-day village of Vergina, in northern Greece.

In 1977 one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century was discovered there, the tomb of Philip II of Macedon.

CNN takes us back in time and gives an introduction of Philip II, who conquered all the Greek cities, paving the way for his son Alexander (who later earned the moniker Alexander the Great) and the expansion of the Hellenistic world.

The most important remains are the monumental palace, lavishly decorated with mosaics and painted stuccoes, and the burial ground with more than 300 tumuli, some of which date from the 11th century BC.

The gold larnax that contained the charred bones of king Philip II. Photo © Wikimedia Commons

CNN’s list of “10 UNESCO World Heritage sites with wild back stories” includes Potosi (Bolivia), Masada (Israel), Wittenberg’s Luther memorial (Germany), Mausoleum of First Qin Emperor (China), National History Park, Citadel, Sans-Souci (Haiti), Lumbini, Birthplace of Lord Buddha (Nepal), Royal Palaces of Abomey (Benin), Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump (Canada) and Agra Fort (India).