🏛️ Archaeological Site of Aigai (modern name Vergina)
Ancient capital of the Macedonian kingdom and royal necropolis
📋 Fast Facts
- First capital of ancient Macedon, later moved to Pella; remained the sacred burial site and political heart
- Royal tomb of Philip II discovered in 1977 by archaeologist Manolis Andronikos; contains golden larnax and exceptional frescoes
- UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1996 for outstanding testimony to Macedonian power and artistic achievement
- Located in northern Greece near modern village of Vergina; includes palace, theater, necropolis of hundreds of burial mounds, and underground museum
The Ancient City and Necropolis of Aigai, located in modern-day Vergina in northern Greece, is one of the most significant archaeological sites of the ancient Greek world. It was the original capital of the ancient kingdom of Macedon and the political and ceremonial center of the Argeads—the dynasty that included Philip II and Alexander the Great. The site is renowned for its royal tombs, palatial architecture, sanctuaries, and monumental public buildings that collectively illuminate the power ...