PREFECTURE OF KAVALA

The Prefecture covers an area of 2,111.7 square kilometres; it has a population of 145,054 (NSSG, 2001) and is divided into 11 municipalities. The island of Thassos - surface area 380.1 square kilometres, population 13,765 (NSSG, 2001) - also belongs administratively to the prefecture of Kavala. The capital of the island is Limenas (Thassos), which has a population of 3,140 (NSSG, 2001).The north-eastern part of the island is dominated by Mt. Ypsari, while almost the whole coast is made up of tiny low-lying areas and fine beaches.

The western area of the Prefecture is dominated by Mt. Pangaion; to the north-east there stretch the Lekani mountains and to the south Mt. Symvolo. Through the centre and south-east of the Prefecture there extend the plains of Krinides and Chrysoupolis respectively.

The city of Kavala, capital of the prefecture, is built on the slopes of Mt. Symvolo and has a population of 58,663 (NSSG, 2001). It is a modern, cosmopolitan urban centre with a healthy tourist industry.

As we leave Kavala on the road to Drama we pass the Agios Silas Monastery, and a little farther on, to the left of the road, we can see part of the Roman Via Egnatia, which has survived in excellent condition. Continuing along the road we come to the Philippi archaeological site, 15km from Kavala. The city of Philippi was built in 356 BC by the Macedonian King Philip II, on the site of an earlier settlement of colonists from Thassos known as Krinides. The ancient theatre of the city has been dated to the same year; it has been restored and is used to stage performances at the Philippi-Thassos Festival. In October 42 BC, a bloody battle with fateful consequences for the Roman republic between the troops of the democrats and the Triumvirate, made the name of Philippi renowned throughout the ancient world. The first founder of the Roman colony, immediately after the battle, was the Roman general Anthony, while in 30 BC the Emperor Octavian Augustus (29 BC - 14 AD) settled veteran legionaries, praetorian guards and farmers from the Italian peninsula in the city, increasing its population and making it an urban centre with a markedly Roman character. Meanwhile the routing of the Via Egnatia (2nd century BC) past the city had made Philippi the largest urban centre in the region.

A long stretch of the Roman road, laid with slabs of marble, can still be seen alongside the Roman agora in the centre of the city. Other features which have survived from this period are the palaestra, or wrestling school, the public latrines and the modifications made by the Romans to the theatre to convert it into an arena.

In 49-50 AD the Apostle Paul arrived in Philippi to preach the gospel. He baptised a woman called Lydia on the banks of the River Zygaktis, just beyond the archaeological site of the city. He also spent time in the city prison, which has survived to the present day.