Greece Welcomes Visitors to the Magnificent Palace of Aigai, the Monument Honoring Alexander the Great

After a 16-year restoration, the Palace of Aigai, where Alexander the Great was crowned king, has reopened. Located near the Greek city of Thessaloniki, this ancient monument was constructed more than 2,300 years ago. Although it was destroyed by the Romans, the palace was uncovered through excavations in the 19th century. The renovation of the site cost over €20m ($22m) with assistance from the European Union. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described it as a globally significant monument and emphasized the need to promote and expand its cultural significance. The restored areas include the palace's grand colonnades. Starting from Sunday, the site will be open to the public. Built by Philip II, Alexander the Great's father, the palace served as the capital of the powerful kingdom of Macedonia and covered 15,000 square meters (160,000 square feet). It boasted large banquet halls, places of worship, and courtyards. In 336 BC, Alexander was crowned King of the Macedonians at this palace after his father's assassination. He would go on to establish an empire that stretched into Asia and the Middle East. The palace, along with the nearby tombs of Philip and other Macedonian kings, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.