Vergina (Unesco World Heritage Site)

At the southernmost edge of the Macedonian plain, nestling in the foothills of Pieria, lies Aiyes – the first city of the Macedonians. Ancient Aiyes (now known as Vergina) is 80 kilometres from Thessaloniki and was the capital of the ancient Macedonian kingdom. In the late 1970’s the eminent archaeologist Manolis Andronikos uncovered the tombs of the Macedonian kings, concealed under the socalled Megali Toumba – the Great Mound. It was here that the famous golden casket was found with the ‘Sun’ of Vergina, the symbol of the kingdom of Philip II. The tombs of Philip II and Alexander IV, known as the ‘tomb of Persephone’, and the palace of Aiyes are just some of the monuments which can still inspire awe in the visitor, overwhelmed by the majesty they express.