Aigai – Royal Tombs of Vergina
Αιγές – Βεργίνα
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient Macedonian capital of Aigai. The royal tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, has been turned into an underground museum with dazzling gold grave goods.
Aigai was the first capital of the ancient Macedonian kingdom. In 1977 archaeologists discovered the unlooted royal tomb of Philip II beneath the great mound at Vergina, and in 1996 the site was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tomb museum is built inside the mound, with the tomb façades displayed in their original positions. Exhibits include a gold larnax (ossuary) decorated with the Vergina Star, a golden oak-leaf wreath, armour and ivory sculptures. It is about 75 km from Thessaloniki, roughly an hour by car. Tickets cost about €20 (half price in winter), and it can be combined with a visit to the palace ruins.
Opening hours
About 8:00–20:00 (shorter in winter)
Nearby sights
- Ancient Pella
- Archaeological Park of Dion
- Ladadika
- Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki
- Aristotelous Square
- Modiano Market
- Kapani (Vlali) Market
- Church of Panagia Chalkeon