Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
well as the fact that the skull bore marks of a facial wound Philip was known to have
sustained, that led to the identification of the tomb as his. Also on view are a fabulous
gold oak-leaf wreath
- so delicate it quivers - and a modest
larnax
(small coffin) found
in the antechamber, presumed to contain the carefully wrapped bones and ashes of a
Thracian queen or concubine.
Tomb III
is thought to be that of Alexander IV, “the Great's” son, murdered in
adolescence - thus the moniker
Prince's Tomb
. His bones were discovered in a silver
vase. From the tomb frieze, a superb
miniature of Dionysos and his consort
is
highlighted. You should also spare a moment or two to view the excellent
video
,
subtitled in English, which brings the archeological finds to life.
The Macedonian Tomb
The so-called
Macedonian Tomb
, actually five adjacent tombs, can also be visited after a
fashion. They are about 500m uphill, above the large parking lot, left of the main road.
Like the Royal Tombs, they lie well below ground level, protected by a vast tin roof.
Excavated by the French in 1861, the most prominent one, thought to be that of
Philip's mother Eurydike, is in the form of a temple, with an Ionic facade of half-
columns breached by two successive marble portals opening onto ante- and main
chambers. Inside you can just make out an imposing marble throne with sphinxes
carved on the sides, armrests and footstool. The neighbouring two pairs of tombs, still
undergoing snail-paced excavation, are said to be similar in design.
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
VERGINA
4
Hotel Aigon
250m from the Royal Tombs, on parallel
road
T
23310 92524,
W
hotel-aigon.gr.
Pleasantly
designed hotel with comfor
tabl
e rooms and a quiet
courtyard. Breakfast included.
€50
Xenonas Evridiki
Just below the Macedonian Tomb
T
23310 92502,
W
www.evridiki.com.gr.
The splendid
location adds immmeasurably to the attraction of these
simple rooms above a fine taverna t
hat
is much more
authentic than those on the main drag.
€40
Northwest Macedonia
This intriguing corner of the province includes the handsome towns of
Édhessa
and
Kozáni
. West of Édhessa is the handsome mountain village of
Nymféo
, where some of
the attractive stone houses have been converted into classy accommodation, and the
bird-rich
Préspa
lakes
, both of which nestle in a strategic spot where Greece, Albania
and the Republic of Macedonia meet.
Flórina
, the area's main urban centre, is of
limited appeal but does have two notable museums. Seeing the area properly is really
only viable if you have your own transport.
Édhessa
The main gateway to northwest Macedonia,
ÉDHESSA
is a delightful place atop an
escarpment. Its modest fame is attributed to the waters that flow through the town;
descending from the mountains to the north, which eventually cascade down a
dramatic ravine, luxuriant with vegetation, to the plain below. Most of the town's
architecture is humdrum, but the various stream-side parks and wide pedestrian
pavements are a rare pleasure in Greece (Édhessa was a pioneer in pedestrianization)
and it's an increasingly important centre for regional tourism.
Édhessa aquarium
Mon & Wed-Sun 10am-6pm • €2
This unusual freshwater
aquarium
is the centrepiece of a so-called open-air water
museum, built from converted watermills in the
Varósi
district just west of the waterfalls.