Greece Presents the World with the Restored ‘Parthenon of Macedonia’

Photo source: Press Office of PM

Following 16 years of restoration work, the palace of King Phillip II in Aigai (Vergina) in Macedonia, Greece, opened its doors to the public on Sunday.

The inauguration of the largest building of Classical Greece, where Alexander the Great was crowned, was attended by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who described the event as one of “global importance and extensive international reach”.

Dubbed the “Parthenon of Macedonia” by German classicist, archaeologist, architectural historian Wolfram Hoepfner, the palace was constructed during the reign of Alexander’s father Philip II (359-336 BC) in Aigai. Together with the Parthenon it is considered to be the most significant building of Classical Greece.

The cost of restoration exceeded 20 million euros and was also funded by the EU.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis speaking at the Polycentric Museum of Aigai. Photo source: Press Office of PM

“This wonderful archaeological park can and should become a stimulus of economic development for Vergina, for Imathia, for all of Macedonia,” said Mitsotakis after touring the ancient site on Friday. The prime minister went on to add that the government was making it a priority to increase the number of visitors to Aigai.

Ancient Aigai, the first capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia, is located some 65km southwest of Thessaloniki in northern Greece. The palace grounds and the royal tombs (Vergina) nearby have been declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Speaking ahead of the inauguration, Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said the palace, which was three times the size of the Parthenon, was a symbol of power and beauty and that together with the museum inaugurated a year ago creates a cultural attraction set to drive growth in the Region of Macedonia.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis touring the palace grounds. Photo source: Press Office of PM

Attending Friday’s event were new Citizens Protection Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis, Central Macedonia Region Governor Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Deputy Imathia Regional Governor Kostas Kalaitzidis and the mayors of Veria and Naousa.