Presentation of newly restored Philip II's Palace of the Goats
Mitsotakis stressed that the site is testimony to the, “timeless Greek identity of Macedonia through the ages.”
Attending the inauguration of the recently restored Palace of Aigai, the PM noted the “great honor” he feels as premier to associate his name and that of his government with the emblematic restoration work at one of the country’s most important archaeological site.
He emphasized the global significance of the recently restored structure in northern Greece, declaring it a heritage for the entire world while emphasizing the necessity of transforming such historical treasures into catalysts for economic development.
“The significance of such monuments becomes the heritage of the entire world. We must highlight it, promote it, and expand the horizons revealed by each new facet,” Mitsotakis said during the inauguration ceremony on Friday.
Mitsotakis emphasized that the monument should serve as an invitation to knowledge and participation, enhancing a sense of belonging and acting as a lever for development. He pledged a political effort to increase the number of visitors to the site, stating, “The more visitors, the more the economy will be stimulated, and the more dynamically this unique cradle of culture will radiate its influence to every corner of the world.”
Accompanied by dignitaries and local officials, the prime minister received a guided tour from Angeliki Kottaridi, the head of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Imathia.
“Aigai” comes from the same root as the ancient Greek word aiga (goat). With an area of approximately 15,000 square meters, it was the largest building in classical Greece.
The project to maintain and restore the Palace of the Goats lasted 16 years and was completed in 2023 with a total budget of 20.3 million Euros.
The city of Aigai (Vergina) was the first capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia, and was upgraded with an extensive building program by Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great.
More specifically, Vergina is a village in Northern Greece in the foothills of Mt. Pieria some 75 km from Thessaloniki. It is the location of the ancient capital of the Macedonians, called Aigai which had its heydays during the Archaic and Classic Periods 7th through 4th Centuries B.C.
The Palace of Philip II at Aigai is the largest and (together with the Parthenon) the most important building of Classical Greece.
You can also visit the site of the Royal Tombs, considered to be one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the last century in the country.
In related news, the new museum of Aigai on opened to the public just last year in the town of Vergina, which incorporates the entire archaeological site, the center of ancient Macedonian culture.
The new museum unites the Palace of Philip, the royal tombs cluster, and the Museum of the Royal Tombs.
It is designed as a conceptual gateway to the archaeological site and to the history of Aigai and of Macedonian culture, as well as of the Hellenistic World, as it will also serve as the site of the Digital Museum “Alexander the Great: from Aigai to the World.”
