Ancient Pella & Vergina

OVERVIEW

Marvel at some of the greatest treasures of antiquity, including the excavated city of Pella and the undisturbed royal tombs at Vergina, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In Pella, birthplace of Alexander the Great, you’ll appreciate the orderly grid of paved streets lined with sidewalks and terra cotta pipes to deliver fresh water. Learn the aristocracy’s homes featured colonnaded courts and intricate floor mosaics meticulously designed with colored pebbles. In nearby Vergina, the modern name of ancient Aigai, stop at a monument to Saint Paul, who once spread the Gospel to the area’s citizens. Journey to the intact crypts of the Macedonian royal family, discovered in the late 1970s, and see their splendid mosaic flooring, elegant colonnades and exquisite tiles. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Vergina, where countless priceless artifacts are displayed, including a rare portrait of Alexander and a gold-and ivory ceremonial shield. As you gaze at these poignant relics from the past, you’ll better understand Greece’s reverence for its storied history.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit ancient Pella, birthplace of King Alexander the Great.
• Marvel at the well-preserved streets, sidewalks and freshwater pipes of this excavated city.
• Examine the Macedonian royal family’s intact tombs at Vergina, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• View the tomb’s stately colonnades, intricate mosaic floors and exquisite fine-relief tiles.
• Admire invaluable artifacts displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Vergina.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Carry bottled water, as you may require hydration.