Unveiling the Ancient Splendor: Greece Welcomes Visitors to the Historical Palace of Alexander the Great
Greece unveils restored 2,400-year-old palace, site of Alexander the Great's coronation, now open to the public Step back in time and witness the historic moment that shaped Macedonia's history
The ancient palace in Greece where Alexander the Great became King of Macedonia some 2,400 years ago has been reopened following a restoration. The Palace of Aigai, also known as the Royal Metropolis of the Macedonians, was the largest building in classical Greece, spanning around 15,000 square meters, as reported by the Greek Cultural Ministry.
Constructed mostly by Philip II of Macedonia in the 4th century BCE, the site is where Alexander the Great was crowned king shortly after his father's assassination, marking the beginning of his legendary campaign, stated Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the opening ceremony on Friday.
Alexander's rule resulted in the conquest of a vast territory, spanning from modern-day Greece to Egypt, Iran, northern India, and central Asia. His unprecedented empire, known as the Hellenistic period, remained in power until the rise of the Roman Empire after his death.
Greece's prime minister inagurated the restored palace earlier in the week,
The conquests of Alexander the Great laid the groundwork for Greek influence in the eastern Mediterranean for the next millennium, with many significant texts, including early versions of the New Testament, being penned in the Greek language.
The palace was destroyed by the Romans in 148 BCE and faced frequent looting in the following centuries. Restoring the birthplace of this remarkable empire was a challenging endeavor, taking the Greek government 16 years and over 20 million euros ($21.9 million) with support from the European Union, as reported by the Greek Cultural Ministry.
"Mitsotakis emphasized that today's activities hold global significance and have an international reach,"
The restoration work involved uncovering the site, recording and preserving the unearthed artifacts. According to the Greek government's cultural ministry, they restored 1,400 square meters of mosaics, marble flooring, and certain columns while maintaining the overall appearance of the ancient ruins.
Mitsotakis emphasized that these monuments hold global significance and belong to all of humanity. As custodians of this invaluable cultural heritage, it is our responsibility to preserve, showcase, and promote it, while also exploring the new perspectives they offer.
