Royal Tomb of Philip II (Great Tumulus of Aigai)

Vergina (in Greek Βεργίνα) is a village in the prefecture of Imathia, Region of Central Macedonia, Northern Greece.

Understand

The village, located on the site of the ancient city of Aigai, the first capital of Macedon, became internationally famous in 1977, when the Greek archaeologist Manolis Andronikos unearthed the burial site of the kings of Macedon, including the tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. Nineteen years later, the UNESCO Committee decided to inscribe the site of Aigai in the list of the World Heritage Sites considering the universal value represented by the discovery of the royal tombs and the importance of their frescoes that testimony the transitional phase of the ancient art from the classic to the Hellenistic period.

According to the tradition, the city was founded in the mid-7th century BC, by Perdiccas I, a Dorian from Argos, of the family of Hercules. As other ancient Greek cities, the society in Aigai was founded on an aristocratic structure having the royal authority as its point of reference. Aigai, in ancient Greek means “goats”, and the city is described by Herodotus as "the land with many goats".

Aigai was replaced as capital by Pella, probably during the reign of Archelaus I (413 - 399 BC) and finally destroyed by Roman Legions in the aftermath of the Third Macedonian War (171–168 BC), fought between Rome and King Perseus of Macedon. The Roman province of Macedonia was established in 146 BC, and had Thessalonica as its capital.

See

Hades abducting Persephone, fresco in the royal tomb of Philip II

• 1 Royal Tombs of Aigai. Some sights might be under reconstruction, so check ahead. €12. (updated Dec 2019)

• Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai, ☏ +30 2331 092347. (updated Mar 2016)
• Royal Tomb of Philip II. The tomb can be reached by a ramp and has the form of an underground vaulted building with two chambers and a monumental facade. The portraits of Philip II and his son, are depicted in the hunting scene of the tomb’s facade. 25 years after Philip’s assassination, the son of Alexander and Roxane, Alexander IV, assassinated by Cassander, finds his last residence next to his grandfather. The wall paintings in the tomb depict the Abduction of Persephone by the God of the Underworld. (updated Mar 2016)

• 2 The Aigai Theater. The place where Philip II was murdered during October 336 BC. The court had gathered there for the celebration of the marriage between Alexander I of Epirus and Philip's daughter, Cleopatra. While the king was entering unprotected into the theater, he was killed by Pausanias of Orestis, one of his seven bodyguards. The murdered tried to escape but was pursued and killed by three of Philip's bodyguards. The orchestra has a diameter of 28.40m. At its center stands the altar of Dionysus. (updated Mar 2016)
• 3 The Royal Palace (Greek: Anaktoro) (Next to the theater). Constructed during the reign of Philip II (359-336 π.Χ.), the royal palace was probably designed by architect Pytheos, known for his contribution to the construction of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. The complex was sumptuously decorated with mosaics, marble sculptures and other luxurious materials. Row of columns once surrounding the palace can still be seen. (updated Mar 2016)

Sleep

Cheaper options can be found in the nearby city of Veria

• 1 Archontiko Dimitra Hotel, 5, Athinas Str, ☏ +30 23310 92900, +30 6936 026209 (Mobile), +30 6936 584 467 (Mobile), fax: +30 23310 92901. 3-star hotel. Eight A/C Rooms, Internet access, TV, heating. (updated Mar 2016)
• 2 Aigon Hotel, ☏ +30 23310 92524, +30 23310 92588, +30 6973 249 128 (Mobile), fax: +30 23310 92587. 3-star hotel (updated Mar 2016)
• 3 Kalaitsi Estate (Ktima Kalaitzi), "Metochi Prodromou" Village (5km from Vergina Town by the provincial road Vergina - Veria), ☏ +30 23310 92092, fax: +30 23310 92093, info@ktima-kalaitzi.gr. A 3-star hotel set on a hill overlooking the vineyards. 11 A/C rooms. Wireless Internet, garden, outdoor Lounge Bar, Wine cellar. (updated Mar 2016)
• 4 Olympia Guesthouse, ☏ +30 23310 68052, +30 6937 255 468 (Mobile), fax: +30 23310 92198, info@xenonasolympia.gr. 4-star hotel. Ten double Deluxe rooms and three triple with veranda. Wi-Fi Wireless Internet. (updated Mar 2016)
• 5 Evridiki Apartments, ☏ +30 23310 92502, +30 23310 92577, +30 6972 407 435 (Mobile). 4-star hotel. Eight A/C rooms. Bath or shower, breakfast room, dining room (updated Mar 2016)

Go next

• The historic city of Veria, a place where, according to tradition, the Apostle Paul stayed and preached, converting most of its inhabitants to Christianity.
• The city of Naoussa, where Aristotle gave lessons to Alexander the Great as well as two other future kings: Ptolemy and Cassander.
• The Wine Road, a section of the E4 European long distance path, starting in Portugal
• The Macedonian Graves Lefkadia in Anthemia

Routes through Vergina

Igoumenitsa ← Veria ←

W  E

→ Thessaloniki → Kavala

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