In operations to upgrade the infrastructure, but also to protect the remains, in the archaeological site of the ancient city of Europe, it progresses Ministry of Culture, through the competent Ephorate of Antiquities of Kilkis.

As stated in an announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the program concerns projects to improve and expand the infrastructure and services of the archaeological site, as well as the installation of a temporary protective roof in a part of the ancient city.

Through the specific interventions, the functioning of the archaeological site and the visitor’s experience in general are upgraded, while at the same time the educational and cultural activity of the Ephorate of Antiquities in ancient Europe is supported.

Ancient Europos was a great city, at the core of the Macedonian kingdom, with a timeless history, as evidenced by the excavations in the city and its cemeteries. The “European City”, as recommended, according to epigraphic testimony of the 2nd century BC, with its impressive findings, gathers all the conditions for its evolution into an important cultural pole and development resource for the region, and more broadly the Central Macedonia.

The Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni stated: “The upgrading and highlighting of the ancient city of Europa, birthplace of Seleucus I of Nicanoras, successor of Alexander the Great and founder of the Seleucid dynasty, is the goal of the Ministry of Culture and the relevant Ephorate of Antiquities. The promotion of this important archaeological site, by strengthening its recognition, as a destination with cultural and developmental dynamics, so that it can be included in the cultural and developmental map of Central Macedonia, is consistent with our strategic planning for Macedonia. In the 2000s, with the completion of the building infrastructure to serve the public, the area became open to visitors.

However, it worked occasionally. In 2019, the operation of the Information Center, upgrading the information on the timeless history of ancient Europe, the city and its cemeteries, but also on the leader of the Seleucid dynasty, substantially increased the number of visitors to the site.

Since then, educational programs and cultural activities are held regularly in the restored archaeological site, which contribute to the better acquaintance of visitors, of all ages, with ancient Europe and the understanding of its historical importance.

Kilkis

Now, with the new planned interventions we have approved, to which is added the installation of lighting for highlighting and security of the archaeological site, we are renovating and upgrading its infrastructures, which fully cover its modern needs and improve, overall, its operation, ensuring, at the same time , for the protection of its archaeological remains”.

The archaeological site that can be visited includes part of the cemetery, which dates back to Roman and early Christian times, part of the urban fabric of the ancient city, on a hill, with houses, warehouses, workshops, north of the cemetery, which date to at least two residential phases of late antiquity (4th -6th century BC). The archaeological site also includes a cluster of three tombs (late 4th – first half of 3rd century BC), the burial complex of Messia and a prehistoric tomb of the Neolithic era (5th millennium BC) within the modern settlement of Europou . The city had a dense urban network of streets and houses, while the “industrial” zone developed next to an adjacent stream. The presence of an organized water network with an aqueduct is confirmed by an inscription, which mentions that the project was implemented with the patronage of Philip Alexandrou (2nd-3rd century AD).

The habitation of Europe was continuous from the 5th pre-Christian millennium BC. up to the 6th century AD The only Kouros that has been excavated in northern Greece also comes from Europe.