Archaeological Sites of Mycenae and Tiryns

country. Greece
year of inscription. 1999

criteria. Cultural

The Mycenaean civilisation dominated the eastern Mediterranean between the 16th and 11th centuries BCE. It was pivotal in the development of classical Greek culture and closely linked to the epics of Home: the Iliad and the Odyssey. Mycenae and Tiryns, which are about 20km apart, were important centres of this civilisation. Excavation works at Mycenae and Tiryns were undertaken by Greek and other European archaeologists in the mid-19th century.

Archaeological Site of Aigai (modern name Vergina)

country. Greece

year of inscription. 1996

criteria. Cultural

The city of Aigai (or, Aegae) was the first capital, from 808 – 399 BCE, of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. Macedon, which began in the 9th century BCE lasted until the 1st century BCE, would under the leadership of its king, Alexander the Great (356 – 323 BCE, reigned: 336 – 323 BCE), grow to become the definitive and most extensive Hellenistic Greek state.

Since the late 19th century, excavation works have begun in the area and remains of a palace was discovered. Archaeological research continued intermittently through to the 20th century, where more parts of the palace was re-discovered. In 1977, the tombs of Macedon royalty were discovered, including what was the burial place of King Philip II (382 – 336 BCE), the father of Alexander the Great. Following that, more royal tombs have also been discovered and excavated. Today, the site houses a museum, which showcases the rich array of artefacts excavated as well as being built over four burial mounds (including that of Philip II) and a small temple.

Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessalonika

where. Greece
what. WHS visited (September 2016)

[Samsung Galaxy Note 5, 10 September 2016]

Meteora

where. Greece
what. WHS visited (September 2016)

[Samsung Galaxy Note 5, 08 September 2016]

Archaeological Site of Delphi

country. Greece
year of inscription. 1987

criteria. Cultural

Since recorded history, Delphi had been a site of worship. In the 7th century BCE, it gained prominence and importance as a shrine and oracle. It became the seat of Pythia, also known as the Oracle of Delphi, the high priestess of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. Ancient Greeks also considered Delphi to be the centre of the world, marked by a stone monument called the omphalos, the navel of the world. Over time, most of the primary Greek city-states had stone monuments erected at the site.

In the 4th century CE, under the Roman Empire, the site was shut down due to Christian Roman persecution of paganism, and Delphi was gradually abandoned and forgotten. Some 1000 years later, the area came Ottoman Turkish rule and investigation into its history began; by then, a village had settled there. In 1436, an Italian explorer, Ciriaco de’Pizzicolli of Ancona (today’s Italy) visited and described the site, albeit, not always accurately. From the late 18th century, other Western explorers visited the site, described it, and carried out excavation works.

Acropolis, Athens

country. Greece

year of inscription. 1987

criteria. Cultural

The area of the Acropolis, Athens was settled as far back as the 4th millennium BCE. However, it was during the 5th century BCE, under the supervision of Pericles (c. 495 – 429 BCE), Greek statesman and general, that the most prominent sites were constructed. These include: the Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike. Since then, the site and buildings have gone through various wars and different occupiers. Over time, these monuments have come to symbolise the architectural and artistic legacy of Ancient Greece and its place in Western civilisation.