The modern village of Pella (Nea Pella) situated 33 km (19 mi.) west of Thessaloniki on the highway to Edessa.
The ancient city of Pella, capital of the Macedonians since the beginning of the 4th century BC and a flourishing artistic centre. It was in Pella, poet Agathon died in 400 BC and the Tragic poet Euripides (died 406 BC). Pella was the birthplace of Alexander the Great. Pella became the capital of Macedonia kingdom during the reign of Archelaos (413-399 BC).He built a new palace and invited Zeuxis, the greatest painter of the day, to decorate it.Both Philip II and Alexander the Great spent some time hereby the 4th century BC, the new capial has become the most important politica, econimic and administrative centre in the Macedonian kingdom.
Must see: Excavations here have unearthed parts of the Walls, the Palace, the Sanctuaries of Aphrodite, Demeter and Cybele, the Agora, the Cemetery and several houses. In two of these houses, which date to the late 4thd century BC, mosaic floors of exceptional quality have been found; they are perhaps the finest examples of the art yet discovered (on display in the museum).
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