Vergina Palace of Philipp the 2nd Consultancy for Conservation Concept

Location:
Vergina, Greece
Client:
Museum of the Royal Tombs of Agai
Completion:
2007
Subject:
Site Preservation, Restoration Planning 
Cooperation:
Restorers of Greek Antiquities, Dr. Angeliki Kottarithi

Location:
Client:
Completion:
Subject:
Cooperation:

Vergina, Greece
Museum of the Royal Tombs of Agai
2007
Site Preservation, Restoration Planning
Restorers of Greek Antiquities, Dr. Angeliki Kottarithi

At a distance of two kilometers from the Archaeological Museum of Agai, which is presenting the extremely significant tombs of the Period of Alexander, the Palace of the father Philipp II is situated in an open landscape on the top of a hill. The floor plan of the palace has been excavated and is very clear in its organization but in need of extensive preservation measures and stabilization of its basic elements because of ground motion due to the instable soil conditions. The main problems for conservation are provoked by the decline of the marvelous mosaics, which are laid in a variety of different techniques according to the function of its rooms. In general, pebble stones of different size and color were used to create decorative patterns; big pebbles up to 5cm for large dining halls, and small pebbles as 0.5 to 1,5 cm for special representation rooms. The precise and sophisticated details of laying the mosaics and chiseling marble for the thresholds and stone blocks for column basis require carefulness and special conservation techniques, that is the most burning ambition of its restorers.