Galery

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Located in the mountainous area near Xanthi, the Macedonian tomb is a real jewel, which is unique for the Thracian region.

The monument has been closed as hiring permanent security staff has so far proven impossible. Those who would like to see it will have to get in touch with someone from the prehistoric and antique cultural monuments agency in Xanthi, to open the tomb for them.

“The tomb is in very good condition. But the Service only has one staff member, and he simply can't guard the monument 24/7. Those interested can phone in and ask that the tomb be opened for them”, says Kiriaki Hadjiprokopiou, an archaeologist at the Agency, on the website thrakitoday; he adds Thrace has a total of six Macedonian type tombs but the one in Xanthi is the largest and best preserved.

The tomb opens to visitors on Sunday

Within the Greek Archaeologist Society’s week aimed at attracting public interest to the work carried out by the Archaeological Service, the Macedonian tomb will open for visitors at 11 a.m. on Sunday. A guided tour will take place, and information brochures describing the monument will be handed out.

“This is the week's third consecutive year; it is dedicated to the plethora of activities carried out by the Archaeological Service, which are little known to society at large”, says Mrs Hadjiprokopiou.

A little background

The Macedonian tomb was discovered back in the 1950's north of Komnina village. Archaeologists believe it dates back to 200-150 BC. The tomb comprises an internal corridor, an antechamber and chamber, with arches on top of the latter.

It was built with cornerstones of local marble in the pseudo-isodome style. The doors to the antechamber and chamber have monolith columns and beams; the floors are covered with marble slabs. The antechamber is 3.13 m across and 2.12 m long. The entrance to the burial chamber used to be closed by a large two-leaf gate.

Among those found in Thrace, the Komnina Macedonian tomb is the best preserved and most impressive one. Digs have been periodically carried out across the region yet none of them were organised or extensive enough to unearth new settlements. In 1993, idols and statuettes were found, which had probably been cult objects from an Asclepius shrine.