Vergina Royal Tombs

The Royal Tombs of Vergina lie beneath a large earth mound at the ancient site of Aigai, the first capital of Macedon, in Central Macedonia, northern Greece. Excavations by Manolis Andronikos in 1977 uncovered several Macedonian tombs, and Tomb II is widely believed to be that of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is displayed as an underground museum built inside the burial mound, so the tombs remain in their original locations. Visitors descend into a dimly lit hall where the facades of the tombs, with painted friezes, can be seen, including the Tomb of Persephone with its vivid mural of the abduction of the goddess. The finds from the tombs are exhibited beside them, including the gold larnax, or burial chest, decorated with the Vergina Sun, a gold oak wreath, weapons, silver vessels, ivory heads and the remains of a funeral pyre. A visit takes about two to three hours, including the exhibits and the film or panels that explain the dig. The atmosphere is quiet and the lighting is low to protect the artefacts, so photography is prohibited inside the tomb hall. The site is rarely crowded, though school groups and tour coaches from Thessaloniki arrive between late morning and early afternoon. Early opening hours are the calmest. The palace of Aigai, with its mosaics and a large Doric complex, and the ancient theatre, where Philip II was assassinated in 336 BC, lie nearby and can be added with extra time. Many visitors combine Vergina with Pella, the later Macedonian capital, in a day trip from Thessaloniki, about 80 kilometres away. Admission is charged, and reduced rates apply to seniors and some visitors.