Philippi and Kavala
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Port
Kavala, Greece
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$110
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
The ancient city of Philippi, now called Kavala, is the most important archaeological site in Eastern Macedonia. It lies at the boundary of the marshes that cover the southeast part of the Plain of Drama. The site was originally colonized by the people of Thasos. They were aware of the area's plentiful supplies of precious metals, timber, and agricultural products, and established the city of Krinides in 360 BC. Soon, Krinides was threatened by the Thracians (365 BC) and turned to King Philip II of Macedon for help. Recognizing its economic and strategic potential, Philip conquered, fortified, and renamed the city after himself. Hellenistic Philippi had a fortification wall, a theatre, several public buildings, and private houses.
The construction of the Via Egnatia through the city in the second century BC made Philippi an important regional center. In a dramatic battle, Octavius conquered Philippi and renamed it, rather pretentiously, Colonia Augusta Julia Philippensis. Saint Paul founded the first Christian Church on European soil at
Philippi in AD 49. Its proximity to Constantinople, the Roman Empire’s new capital, brought new splendor.
Three magnificent basilicas and the Octagon complex --the cathedral dedicated to Saint Paul – were erected in the city center in the 4th-6th centuries AD. After a series of earthquakes and Slavic raids, the lower city was gradually abandoned early in the 7th century. Philippi survived into the Byzantine period as a fortress, until its final demise in the late 14th century, after the Turkish conquest. Today, Kavala is built around the ruins of Philippi and its Byzantine and Ottoman Old Town makes for a fascinating morning or afternoon of sightseeing.
Please note: Wear comfortable walking shoes.