Ancient palace where Alexander The Great was crowned reopens after 16-year renovation
The ancient Palace of Aigai, where Alexander the Great was crowned, reopens after a 16-year, €20 million renovation, hailed by Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Ancient palace where Alexander The Great was crowned reopens after 16-year renovation
The ancient Palace of Aigai, where Alexander the Great was crowned, will reopen to the public on Sunday after a 16-year, €20 million renovation. The restoration project aimed to restore the palace's past glory and was hailed by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis as a "monument of global importance."
The Palace of Aigai, which is located in Greece, was built more than 2,300 years ago during the reign of Alexander the Great's father, Philip II. This 4th century BC site covers an area of 15,000 square meters and is considered one of the most important historical sites in classical Greece, along with the Parthenon in Athens.
Aigai served as the capital of the Macedonian kingdom, which was the dominant military power of its time. The palace was the kingdom's spiritual center and the tombs of Philip and other Macedonian kings are located nearby. After the assassination of his father, Alexander the Great was crowned at the palace in 336 BC before embarking on a military campaign that led to the creation of an empire stretching into modern-day India.
Restored palace showcases Greek history
The Palace of Aigai, with its cultural and national significance, confirms the Greek identity of Macedonia throughout the centuries, according to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The site includes the royal palace, a colonnade, and the agora, where ancient Macedonians engaged in important debates. The palace's courtyard, with a capacity of 8,000 people, was where Alexander the Great was proclaimed king.
The original palace was destroyed by the Romans in 148 BC, and excavations to uncover the site began in 1865. The restoration project, which began in 2007 with support from the European Union, aimed to revitalize the historical monument. The Palace of Aigai, along with the tombs nearby, is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Greece has been investing in the preservation of its ancient sites, which are major attractions for tourists and a source of revenue for the country.
Greece's quest for repatriation of looted artifacts
In recent decades, Greece has been actively seeking the return of sculptures taken from the Parthenon that are currently housed in the British Museum. Greece argues that these artifacts were looted during the 19th century when the country was under Ottoman rule. Although the restoration of the Palace of Aigai demonstrates Greece's commitment to preserving its cultural heritage, the issue of repatriation remains unresolved.
Greece hopes to reclaim these iconic sculptures, often referred to as the Elgin Marbles, and reunite them with the remaining Parthenon frieze in Athens. The return of these artifacts would be a significant step towards preserving and showcasing Greece's rich history and cultural legacy.
