The wild olive (lat. Olea oleaster) is an evergreen tree that is native to the Eastern Mediterranean coasts. With its characteristic thick and rough trunk and small, thick leaves, it is typical of Mediterranean nature. The wild olive, which is considered the forerunner of the domesticated olive tree, has been associated with ancient Greek mythology and ancient Greek culture. Kotinos, the olive wreath was the prize for the winners of the Olympic Games in antiquity. Thracian Electronic Treasure Databank for the Greek Nature Olea Oleaster

The emblematic theatre in Philippi The Ancient Theater of Philippi was built by Philip II in 356 BC, immediately after the conquest of the city by the Macedonian king. After the conquest of the city by the Romans, during the 1st and 2nd c. AD, the theater underwent many changes to accommodate a larger number of spectators and to adapt to the particular Roman spectacles. The most important operations took place in the 2nd century AD with several additions of auxiliary spaces as well as the construction of the scene, which was designed with two floors to the orchestra and three floors on the exterior of the theater. At this point it was decorated with marble reliefs depicting the female followers of Bacchus, the maenads, satyr masks and other symbols of god Dionysus. In the 3rd century AD the theater was converted into a typical Roman arena with all the necessary modifications for the needs of the new spectacles and for the safety of the spectators. The figures related to the duels, Mars, Victory and Nemesis, were carved then. Unfortunately, in the following centuries, the predominance of the new religion, which was opposed to violent spectacles and theatrical performances in general, would bring the desolation of the theater, at least as a gathering place for spectacles. The great earthquake of the 7th century AD and the fire that destroyed the stage rendered whatever material could be used for second building use. The parts of the theater that remained in good condition housed other commercial activities. After rescue excavations and restoration work, the ancient theater hosts performances of the Philippi Festival every summer. Ministry of Culture DIAZOMA  EMT Greece

Masterpieces bring to life the history of a great city of antiquity The Archaeological Museum of Philippi houses all the findings from the excavations of this important city of Antiquity and the first Byzantine years. The exhibition is divided into two large sections. On the ground floor of the Archaeological Museum the visitor can see the findings from the excavations that come from the area before its colonization, from the prehistoric period to the 4th century BC. The most important and numerous findings include coins, jewelry, sculpture and vases from the founding of the colony to the end of the Roman period.  The findings from the Christian city are exhibited on the first floor of the museum. Among them are inscriptions, parts of buildings, mosaics, vases and coins from the early Christian and early Byzantine years, which coincide with the prosperity of the city, until the recession (7th century AD) and its abandonment following the Turkish conquest in the late 14th century. With the aid of visual material, the visitors complete their acquaintance with the city of Philippi. Greek Archaeological Museums Ministry of Culture  EMT Greece  Visit Kavala 

The National Park of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace is a wetland complex that extends to about 930,000 acres. It consists of Nestos Delta as well as Vistonida and Ismarida lagoons. The national park was founded in 2008, with the view of protecting the rich flora and fauna of the area. There are two information centers for the national park: the Information Center of Lake Vistonida, at the western entrance of Porto Lagos, as well as the Information Center of the Nestos Delta, in Keramoti of the Regional Unit of Kavala. National Park of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

The geographical location, the natural port and the location of Kavala close to Mount Paggaio made the city one of the oldest ones in the region. It is the capital of the Kavala prefecture. In ancient times, it was called Neapolis (new town) and in Byzantine times Christoupolis (town of Christ). Since 1470, it has had its current name. It has one of the largest passenger ports (Apostolos Pavlos) as well as one of the most important commercial ports (Philipos II). It also hosts an International Airport (Alexander the Great) and is the headquarters of the Diocese of Philippi, Neapolis and Thassos. The city is built amphitheatrically at the foot of Mount Symbol. In the wider area, Paul spread Christianity in Europe (49 AD) and baptized the first European Christian. The history of Kavala dates to prehistoric times. After the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922), Greek refugees from Eastern Thrace, Eastern Romilia and Asia Minor settled in the city. Along with their traditions, they brought along tobacco cultivation, an activity which led the city to great economic development. Important sites by historical periods include the Ottoman Ibrahim Pasha Mosque, which was converted into the orthodox church of St. Nikolaos, the Halil Bey Mosque, the Kavala Imaret, the Mehmet Ali Pasha Mansion, the Kavala Fortress, Kamares, which used to be the old aqueduct of the city, the 5th Kavala High School, built by the Turkish tobacco merchant Patsatzik, and many more. Kavala, as a city of tobacco processing, hosts several tobacco warehouses, such as the Municipal Tobacco Warehouse, which is part of the Ottoman building complex, the Austro-Greek Complex, the Shopping Center of Kavala, which is also an ex-tobacco warehouse, the Big Club, the Old Town Hall (Tokos Mansion), the City Hall of Kavala, the Vix Mansion and others. The Catholic Church of Apostle Paul-Lazaristes Monastery, the Cathedral of Timios Prodromos-Agios Ioannis and several museums, such as the Archaeological Museum, the Historical and Folklore Museum, the Museum of Refugee Hellenism, the Municipal Tobacco Museum, the Naval Museum of Kavala, and more are also very interesting. Kavala is the birthplace of Vassilis Vassilikos, Greek writer of the political novel Z, and of Olympic javelin thrower Anna Verouli. Visit Kavala Municipality of Kavala Up Drones (video)