City Of Kavala

Gorgeous. scenery, fascinating historical monuments, superb beaches, plus all the services and facilities accompanying sound tourist development, await the visitor to Kavala, one of the gems of eastern Macedonia.

History Of Kavala

A city with a distinguished past, Kavala occupies the site of ancient Neapolis. Its buildings rise like the tiers of an amphitheatre up the slopes of Mt. Simvolo, overlooking the picturesque harbour. The area has been settled since Neolithic times (3.000 B.C.), while Antisara, covering the present vilolages of Kalamitsa and Kipoupolis just outside town, was founded in the 5th century B.C. Neapolis, of somewhat later date. knew great prosperity thanks to its strategic location in the region: its proximity to the gold mines on Mt. Pangeo, on the one hand, and its position on the main trade route uniting East and West, on the other. Much later, in commemoration of St. Paul's visit, Neapolis was renamed Christoupolis. Over the course of time, the region of Kavala had a turbulent history of invasions, wars and oppression before evolving into the important commercial centre it is today. Besides having an active port, Kavala is the capital of the tobacco industry in Greece.

Although a modern business centre, Kavala, is amply endowed with charms to attract and captivate any visitor, for it has managed to hold on to many features of its former appearance, resulting in a graceful balance of old and new.

The spacious squares, contemporary constructions, shops and warehouses on the West side of the city blend harmoniously with the old houses with their gardens and enclosed balconies that jut out over the flagstones of the narrow alleyways on the east side. Traditional and modern meet and merge both in Kavala's architecture and its layout. Furthermore, its up - to - date facilities for tourists, its nightclubs and its tavernas provide all the amenities while offering endless possibilities for a most pleasant stay.

Kavala's harbour is particulary beguiling, filled with dozens of brightly coloured fishing caiques bobbing up and down at the quay before they set out at twilight, lamps lit for the night's adventure.

What to see in Kavala

The traditional district of Panayia, named after a 15th century church dedicated to the Virgin that once existed there, has much to interest the sightseer: the Byzantine walls and 16th century Castle - good view of the town and port and the Cathedral, built on the site of the earlier church. Also worth a closer look is the Kamares Aqueduct, erected by Suleiman the Magnificent to guarantee the city's water supply.

One of the cobbled streets of the district leads to the birthplace of Mehmet Ali (18th century), founder of the Agyptian royal line.

Still in good condition, the house is an appealing example of Turkish architecture, complete with harem. 
At a square near the house there is a bronze statue of Mehmet Ali. Imatet is another building of Mehmet Ali. It's an important architectural cluster of buildings with domes of 1817. Kavala's Archaelogical Museum (Tel.: 222.335) - one of the finest in Greece - contains impressive finds from Neapolis, Philippi, Amphipolis and Abdera The city's other museums are also of interest: the Folk Art Museum (Tel: 227.820) and the Gallery of Fine Arts.

Kavala : Places to visit

Philippi (Filipoi) - Amfipolis

Anyone who happens to be in the region should not fail to make the pilgrimage to the famous ancient Greek city of Philippi.

This major archaeological site lies near Krinides (17 km. from Kavala), off the Kavala - Drama National Road. Here one can see the remains of two early Christian basilicas, traces of the old Via Egnatia, the celebrated Roman Forum, the Acropolis and the Theatre, among other ruins. Performances of ancient Greek comedy and tragedy are staged every summer in the restored theatre. Another interesting feature is the Roman crypt, thought to have been where St. Paul was imprisoned. St. Paul preached the Gospel to the Lydians, the first people in Europe to adopt Christianity, from the banks of the nearby river. A pretty modern church, named the Baptistry of the Lydians, stands on the site. The Museum (Tel.: 051/516.261) Neolithic, hellenistic, Roman and Neochristian findings are exposed.

Travelling southwest for about 60 kilometres, one comes to ancient Amphipolis (Amfipolis), the most important Athenian colony in the north of Greece. Of this wealthy city have survived the "Lion of Amphipolis"; (4th century B.C.), a burial monument situated just beyond the bridge over the Strymon river, and at the site itself, near the modern village, sections of the Acropolis, ruins of early Christian basilicas with lovely mosaic floors, as well as several tombs that yielded up valuable finds.

Other places to visit

Besides its archaeological sites, Kavala is a wonderful base for day trips, long and short, surrounded as it is by coastal villages with marvellous beaches and mountain hamlets nestled amidst enchanting scenery. Those who love swimming and dining on fresh fish they can go to Rapsani or Pergiali as well, both of them in the town or a little further to Kalamitsa (3 km) to Paleo (9 km) to Nea Iraklitsa (14 km) and Nea Peramos.

Walkers will want to try the ascent of Prophitis Elias, from where there is a panoramic view of the whole area.

Other idyllic settings may be found at Agios Syllas (2 km) with its monastery of the same name, Palia Kavala (16 km.) Krioneri (16 km.) andKorifes (23 km.).

Or one might wish to climb (or drive) to the top of Stavros to enjoy not only the sight of Kavala spread out below, but also mounts Pangeo, Simvolo and Arvilos, visit the Byzantine monastery of Eikosifinissas (44 km. from Kavala), at the head of one of the northern gorges of Mt. Pangeo, near the village of Kormisa - a marvel really worth the trip.

Still further away (67 km.) is the seaside settlement, Loutra Elefteron, an organized spa with hot springs and full hydrotherapy facilities. Delta of Nestos, near Chrysoupoli, offers you an unforgetable view. Here you'll find Natural Parks, plenty of species of rare birds and plants. Near Nestos estuary, there is the picturesque village of Keramoti, with a wonderful beach.

The whole area. nearby is a Marine Park, Plenty of rare birds of which you can take photos. At Nestos as well as at Keramoti; There are a lot of fish farms.

From this place you can Cross to the charming and evergreen Thassos.

Finally, Kavala is also an ideal base from which to visit the delightful, green island of Thassos.

Useful Information - Events

Useful Telephone Numbers

Telephone area code: 051 
GNTO Information Bureau: 222.425 
GNTO Offices: 231.653, 228.762 
Tourist Police: 222.905 Aliens' Bureau: 836.130, 223.605 Kavala General Hospital: 228.517

Health Centres

Eleftheroupoli. Tel. 0592/22.222. 
Hrissoupoli, Tel. 0591/24. 191

How to get there

By air : The airport (27 km from Kavala) is connected with Athens by regularly scheduled flights and with a number of Western European cities by charters. For information on Athens - Kavala flights call; Olympic Airways, Athens 01/966.6666 or Olympic Airways, Kavala, 223.622, 225.577.

By Boat : Kavala is linked by boat with Thassos, Limnos, Chios, Samos, Ikaria, Patmos, Leros, Kalymnos, Kos, Rhodes, Kymi, Agios Konstantinos, Piraeus, Mytilini and Samothrace. For information call the Kavala Port Authority: 224.967, 223.716.

By Bus : Kavala can be reached by bus from Athens, Thessaloniki, Drama, Serres, Xanthi, Komotini and Alexandroupolis. Komotini and Alexandroupolis are also served by long - distance buses.

Information : KTEL (bus company), Athens Greece, 512.9363 (terminal, 260 Liossion St.): KTEL, Thessaloniki (59 Langada St.), 031/525.530 
KTEL, Kavala (33 Mitropolitis Chryssostomou Smyrnis St.) 223.593.

Note : Kavala has no railway network. The nearest train stations are at Drama (36 km.) and Xanthi (56 km.).

Events

July - August : The annual drama festivals at Philippi and Thassos.

June : Eleftheria a series of festivities for the anniversary of Kavala's liberationfrom Turks.

During Summer Season, cultural events are taking place, also in the theatres of Nea Karvali and Eleahorio.