ANCIENT MACEDONIA

The three most important cities in ancient Macedonia were Pella, Dion and Aiges (now called Vergina).

        Pella, a port in those times, was the capital city and administrative center of the Macedonian Kingdom. Excavations have proven that it was a very well organized city with wide avenues, durable roads, square blocks and irrigation canals, a market place, administrative buildings and marvelous houses. Ruins of its Acropolis and the palace complex also exist in the area. 

        Dion was the sacred city of the Macedonians. It was the place where they met regularly to worship their gods and take part in festivals, games and rituals.  Dion is situated at the foot of Mt Olympus and was also a port city in those times. Excavations in the area have brought to light the ruins of a well structured city with good roads and a wall which was 2600 metres long, temples and statues, public and private buildings with decorative floor mosaics, a theatre, public baths, a market place and an excellent system of irrigation.

        Aiges (now Vergina), about 80 kilometers north-west of Thessaloniki, was the earlier capital of the Macedonians, a highly important ancient city and one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. Excavations in the area uncovered parts of the city wall, the palace, the theatre, temples, the agora, public buildings, the Acropolis of the city with its fortification walls and tombs with important treasures which all belonged to the dynasty of Alexander the Great. The most important finds in the area are concentrated in the huge royal cemetery where the royal tombs were found.