New attraction/site near Thessaloniki.

[edinburgher]

Should you have a port call at Thessaloniki, this may be another option to consider including in your sightseeing plans.for your day.

 

Palace of Aigai, near  Thessaloniki 

 

The location where Alexander the Great was crowned has only very recently opened following 16 years of vastly expensive restoration.

[cruisemom42]

As I posted on the other thread where you mentioned this, I had the opportunity to hire a private driver to visit this newly opened site (with separate museum), as well as the site (and museum) at Vergina. 
 

I noticed in my research online in advance of my visits that some websites conflate the two places, but they are different places. Aigai was the old traditional Macedonian capital, used in the time of Alexander the Great mainly for traditional events and burials of the royal family.

 

Nearby Vergina was the “new” capital, built by the immediate predecessors of Alexander and his father, Philip II in an effort to compete with the cities of their Greek rivals.

 

Both places are well worth a visit and easily take up a full day. The Aigai site still has that “new museum” smell. The showstopper is the reconstruction of one of the facades of the Royal Palace at Aigai in a courtyard of the museum.

 

The places I mention above are all separate from the Museum of the Royal Tombs, also in the vicinity and DEFINITELY worth a visit as well (I had seen it on an earlier visit). It includes a walk through the underground tumulus of Philip II and assorted burial finds from his tomb and other royal tombs — amazing gold and silver work!

 

I’m traveling now but when I get home I’ll try to post a few photos.

Edited January 13 by cruisemom42

[edinburgher]

23 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

I had the opportunity to hire a private driver to visit this newly opened site (with separate museum), as well as the site (and museum) at Vergina. 

First past the post, cruisemom42. Well done.😀

[Judyrem]

On 1/13/2024 at 12:35 PM, cruisemom42 said:

As I posted on the other thread where you mentioned this, I had the opportunity to hire a private driver to visit this newly opened site (with separate museum), as well as the site (and museum) at Vergina. 
 

I noticed in my research online in advance of my visits that some websites conflate the two places, but they are different places. Aigai was the old traditional Macedonian capital, used in the time of Alexander the Great mainly for traditional events and burials of the royal family.

 

Nearby Vergina was the “new” capital, built by the immediate predecessors of Alexander and his father, Philip II in an effort to compete with the cities of their Greek rivals.

 

Both places are well worth a visit and easily take up a full day. The Aigai site still has that “new museum” smell. The showstopper is the reconstruction of one of the facades of the Royal Palace at Aigai in a courtyard of the museum.

 

The places I mention above are all separate from the Museum of the Royal Tombs, also in the vicinity and DEFINITELY worth a visit as well (I had seen it on an earlier visit). It includes a walk through the underground tumulus of Philip II and assorted burial finds from his tomb and other royal tombs — amazing gold and silver work!

 

I’m traveling now but when I get home I’ll try to post a few photos.

I want to go there!  We have an overnight at the port and it looks like we can take a train there!

 

On 1/13/2024 at 12:35 PM, cruisemom42 said:

As I posted on the other thread where you mentioned this, I had the opportunity to hire a private driver to visit this newly opened site (with separate museum), as well as the site (and museum) at Vergina. 
 

I noticed in my research online in advance of my visits that some websites conflate the two places, but they are different places. Aigai was the old traditional Macedonian capital, used in the time of Alexander the Great mainly for traditional events and burials of the royal family.

 

Nearby Vergina was the “new” capital, built by the immediate predecessors of Alexander and his father, Philip II in an effort to compete with the cities of their Greek rivals.

 

Both places are well worth a visit and easily take up a full day. The Aigai site still has that “new museum” smell. The showstopper is the reconstruction of one of the facades of the Royal Palace at Aigai in a courtyard of the museum.

 

The places I mention above are all separate from the Museum of the Royal Tombs, also in the vicinity and DEFINITELY worth a visit as well (I had seen it on an earlier visit). It includes a walk through the underground tumulus of Philip II and assorted burial finds from his tomb and other royal tombs — amazing gold and silver work!

 

I’m traveling now but when I get home I’ll try to post a few photos.

ilki

[little britain]

@cruisemom42 any pics please and logistics costs of getting there etc ? Thank you 🙏 

[edinburgher]

On 5/5/2024 at 11:39 PM, Judyrem said:

I want to go there!  We have an overnight at the port and it looks like we can take a train there!

The Royal Tombs of Vergina are oustanding and not to be missed with some fabulous exhibits.  Info and images should be easily found online, although the number of images will be limited as no photography is actually permitted and the attendants are ultra wachful.

Edited June 28 by edinburgher

[cruisemom42]

On 6/28/2024 at 6:34 AM, little britain said:

@cruisemom42 any pics please and logistics costs of getting there etc ? Thank you 🙏 

 

Sorry, between travel and dealing with elderly parents I haven't been on Cruise Critic much lately. I will try later this week to find some time to post photos.

 

I went with a private driver. It wasn't cheap but it was the only way to cover so much ground in a day. If you still want the details, let me know.