Stay:Vergina- Royal Tomb of Phillip II museum free parking N40.4849 E22.3223
We ended up doing a bit of driving today as the beach did not appeal to us.
Along the way we did the services and topped up with fuel. It was pretty easy driving along the motorway, paying our way at 3 toll booths. Only once were we correctly identified as being greater than 2.7m high.
We arrived at the not too busy museum car park, had some lunch and ventured to the museum by 2pm.
In short, it is the tomb of Phillip II, father of Alexander the Great, buried here in 336BC. There were several tombs that we all covered under a huge mound of dirt to protect them. When discovered it had not been pilfered by treasure hunters and so all the artefacts and tombs where intact. We got to see these amazing objects and learn about the burial process. (Museum website www.aigai.gr) As there was no photography allowed, here are some photos from the internet.
The mound from the outside
A model of the mound cut away to reveal tombs
One of the tombs entrances
Model of inside the tomb
After cremation Phillips bones where cleaned in wine and placed in the gold casket wrapped in a purple material embossed with gold
These are the remains of items he was cremated with including 4 horses
Objects found in the tomb
Silverware included in the tomb
Armour and a shield also in the tomb
Phillips young wife was also cremated with him...
A couple of hours later it was back to Bluey and then out for a Greek dinner.
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