Renovated Palace of Alexander the Great's Father Opened in Greece - the Largest Preserved in 2400 Years

After 16 years of meticulous restoration, maintenance, excavation, and documentation, the renovated palace of Alexander the Great's father, Philip II of Macedon, has been officially opened in Greece. Situated on the Aegean, this architectural marvel in northern Greece was where Alexander the Great became king 2,300 years ago.

The palace was inaugurated on Friday with the participation of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. For tourists, the monument will be open starting tomorrow, on Sunday.

"The palace holds cultural and national significance as it attests to Macedonia's Greek identity throughout centuries," said Prime Minister Mitsotakis at the opening. 

"Our goal is to make the Aegean a point of reference, a landmark of our ancestors' greatness, and a part of our modern life. This splendid archaeological park can and should become a catalyst for the economic development of Vergina, Imathia, and the entire Macedonia region," he added.

The Macedonian royal metropolis, the Aegean Kingdom as it was known in the ancient world, is located in the city of Vergina. Philip II (359-336 BCE), the father of Alexander the Great, began the construction of the palace in the mid-4th century and completed it in 336 BCE.

Covering approximately 15,000 square meters, the site is the largest preserved classical palace complex in Greece, three times larger than the Parthenon. The monumental structure is generously adorned with mosaics and painted plaster decorations.

The restoration took place from 2007 to 2023 and was co-funded by European programs, with a total budget of €20,300,000.

As previously reported by The Gaze, in November of last year, after 70 years of careful research and restoration, the Vatican opened to visitors the ancient Roman necropolis from the time of Nero, located beneath the Vatican. Now, every Friday and Saturday, visitors can explore the necropolis along the Via Triumphalis road in Rome by making reservations on the Vatican Museums' website.