In a significant cultural development, the Palace of Aigai, where Alexander the Great was crowned King of Macedonia, is set to reopen after undergoing a meticulous 16-year, €20 million renovation. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis hailed the reopening ceremony, calling the Palace of Aigai a “monument of global importance.”
Built in the 4th century BC, the Palace of Aigai spans over 15,000 square meters and was one of the most crucial sites in classical Greece, alongside the Parthenon in Athens. The palace, constructed during the reign of Alexander the Great’s father, Philip II, served as the spiritual center of the Macedonian kingdom, the dominant military power of its time.
The reopening ceremony took place in ancient Aigai, approximately 65 kilometers southwest of Thessaloniki, northern Greece. The site includes the royal palace, a colonnade surrounding it, and the agora, where ancient Macedonians deliberated on significant matters. Notably, it was in the palace’s courtyard, with an 8,000 capacity, that Alexander the Great was proclaimed king in 336 BC before embarking on his historic military campaign.
The Palace of Aigai, having a cultural and national significance, confirms the Greek identity of Macedonia throughout the centuries, according to Prime Minister Mitsotakis. The restoration project, initiated in 2007 with European Union support, follows the destruction of the palace by the Romans in 148 BC. Excavations began in 1865 and continued into the 20th century, leading to the listing of the palace and nearby tombs as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Greece, recognizing the economic importance of its antique sites as tourist attractions, has increased investment in preserving and showcasing its rich cultural heritage. However, the country continues to advocate for the return of sculptures taken from the Parthenon, currently housed in the British Museum, emphasizing their alleged looting during the 19th century under Ottoman rule.
By AFP