Greek palace where Alexander the Great was crowned reopens
The 2,300-year-old Palace of Aigai has reopened in Greece after an extensive restoration of its architecture and mosaic art. Formerly known as the Royal Metropolis of the Macedonians, the ancient landmark is where Alexander the Great became King of Macedonia.
It is the largest building in classical Greece, primarily built by Phillipp II of Macedonia in the fourth century. Restoration efforts have taken the Greek government 16 years, with support from the European Union. The Greek Cultural Ministry reported it cost more than €20million.
The historic site was excavated, and work was done to document and conserve all artefacts discovered. Over 1,400 meters of marble flooring, columns and mosaics were restored in the process.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, speaking at the palace’s opening ceremony, said: “What we are doing today is an event of global importance and international scope.”
He continued: “The importance of such monuments transcends local boundaries, becoming property of all humanity. And we, as the custodians of this precious cultural heritage, we must protect it, highlight it, promote it and at the same time expand the horizons revealed by each new facet.”
At three times the size of the Parthenon, it remains a significant cultural landmark that signalled the development of urban planning and became an archetype for palaces from the Hellenistic period onwards.
The palace, as well as the nearby tombs of Philip and other Macedonian kings, are listed as Unesco World Heritage Sites.