Greece reopens ancient monument where Alexander the Great became king

Greece reopened the gates to its more than 2,300-year-old monument, the Palace of Aigai. The centuries oldmonumental antiquity is known to have held the coronation ceremony ofAlexander the Great.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described it as a “monument of global importance” at the site’s reopening ceremony held on Friday.

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The Palace of Aigai is situated near Greece’s northern port city of Thessaloniki, which was later plundered and destroyed by the Romans. The site was discovered through excavations beginning in the 19th century. Its restoration and renovation cost more than $22 million, with help from the European Union (EU).

Centuries-old Greek monument reopens for public

Speaking at the event, PMMitsotakis said that thePalace of Aigai, asignificant Greek monument is now a part of the entire world heritage,

"We must highlight it, promote it, and expand the horizons revealed by each new facet”, said the prime minister.

The restoration process for the ancient site has been going on for the last 16 years and its restored sections include massive colonnades. The site will reopen to the general public on Sunday.

The palace was built by Philip II, Alexander the Great's father, who ruled over the powerful kingdom of Macedonia. It was the largest building built in the classical Greek style of architecture- an area covering 15,000 sq m (160,000 sq ft)and featuring large banquet halls, places of worship and courtyards.

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Alexander was crowned the King ofMacedoniain 336 BC after the assassination of his father, Philip II. He later went on to create an empire stretching into Asia and the Middle East.

The place Aigai is known as Vergina in the present day and the Greek architectural site was oncethe largest buildings of ancient Greece.

Archaeological evidence proves that the site was continuously inhabited starting from the Early Bronze Age (3rd Millenium BC), while in the Early Iron Age (11th to 8th centuries BC) it became an important, rich and densely populated centre.

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The palace of Aigai wasingenious designed for Philip II by anarchitect calledPytheos, also known forconstructingthe Mausoleum at Halicarnassus.

The palace, and the nearby tombs of Philip and other Macedonian kings, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

(With inputs from agencies)