ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

There is a combined ticket with the Museum of Byzantine Culture and the White Tower for 15 €. This museum was known for housing the treasures of Vergina where the tomb of Philip II of Macedonia was found. In 1998, this collection was withdrawn, but it remains rich in interesting objects from necropolises of Macedonia.

Entrance hall (rooms 1 and 7). At the end, on the right of the hall, in room 7, an example of a Macedonian tomb with funerary material (Aghia Paraskevi). On the right wall, one can admire the remains of the marble tomb of Potidae discovered in 1984 and dating from the 4th century BC, with a painted decoration depicting Dionysian scenes. At the end, on the left of the hall, in room 1, is exposed the superb funerary stele of Agenor, from the^5th century B.C. It represents two men sitting face to face.

Rooms 2 and 3. These two rooms present a collection of archaic, classical and Hellenistic works (from the 7th to the^5th century BC).

Room 4. It is dedicated to the Hellenistic and Roman periods. On the right as you enter, do not miss the three superb horses dating from the 3rd century BC. In the center of the room you will also see a Roman mosaic representing Dionysus and Ariadne as well as the rape of Daphne by Apollo. The small arch in front of the mosaic is a part of the famous quarter of Galerius uncovered in the center of Thessaloniki. The annex on the left is interested in the Hellenistic period in Thessaloniki. Nevertheless, little is known about it except that the city was founded by King Macedon Cassander who named it after his wife, who was also the half-sister of Alexander the Great. It was created by grouping 26 neighboring villages. The back of the room shows the Egyptian influence around the third century BC.

Rooms 5 and 6. Entirely dedicated to the Roman period, these rooms display sculptures and portraits of emperors. At the end of room 6, remains of sarcophagus decorated with epic and mythological scenes.

Room 9. The gold of Macedonia. This superb room is dedicated to the gold of the treasures of Macedonia. Originally, gold and silver had the same value, which means that they were equally rare. In the sixth century, silver was issued at a ratio of 13.33 to 1... and Philip II had to issue a lot of gold to decrease the ratio. The quantity of gold used in Macedonian treasures and funerary objects would thus come from this massive influx. Do not miss, in the center of the room, the large gilded bronze crater with silver motifs. It is 91 cm high, and the ornaments representing Dionysus and Ariadne surrounded by the Silenes are magnificent. Also noteworthy is a tomb containing the bones of a young woman and her baby placed in a wooden box. The painted decoration inside is reminiscent of a young woman's bedroom, with her personal belongings hung on nails and placed on shelves of sorts.

Room 10. A small but interesting basement room, with objects from the region dating from the Neolithic period to the Bronze Age.

Room 8 (treasure of Sindos). It exhibits material from 121 tombs, from the late Archaic to the early Classical period. Numerous vases with black or red figures, jewelry and weapons are displayed. They are interesting testimonies of the customs of the region and of the belief in life after death.