Located in Central Macedonia, Pella was once considered the capital of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. It was the birthplace of Alexander the Great, and once flourished as the largest and richest city in Macedonia. During its heydey, it was home to some of Greece’s most beautiful buildings, dating back to the Hellenistic period.
While excavations cover an archaeological footprint of over four square kilometres, just a small chunk of Pella is open to the public. Today, the Archaeological Museum offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the city’s illustrious past. It also serves as the starting point for Greece’s famous Alexander the Great Marathon, which sees competitors dash between Pella and Thessaloniki.
Pella is located around 45 kilometres north-west of Thessaloniki, making it an easy day trip from the Central Macedonian capital, with the drive taking under one hour. For those without a car, signing up for day trips with tourist agencies is a popular way to explore the ruins.
In a feat of prehistoric engineering, the city of Pella once featured an impressive water system. In fact, it was one of the world’s first cities to offer its residents an extensive piped water supply to individual buildings, as well as an efficient wastewater disposal system.