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Kavala

Founded in 7th Century BC, Kavala at first was called Neapolis and was an supporter of Athens for many years in its war against Sparta. From 350 B.C, Philip II, king of Macedonia, who gave his name to the nearby city of Philipi, dominated the area of Kavala. It became the most important center of the region and today is one of the most important archaeological places of Greece.

Later, during the domination of Rome in this area, important historical events took place here, such as the famous battle of Philipi. In 42 BC, during this battle, the Romans armies of Brutus and Anthony fought in the valley of Philipi, after the murder of Cesar. In 49 BC, the Apostle Paul, in preaching Christianity, visited Philipi, where he baptized Lidia, the first Christian of Europe. For this he was subsequently imprisoned here.

In the 9th Century, the Byzantines conquered Kavala, which at that time was named Christoupolis. Later in 1387, Kavala fell under the dominion of the Turks, who destroyed it in 1391. In the 16th Century, the city was founded again with the name of Kavala. The Turkish domination continued until 1913, when it was liberated and became part of Greece.

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