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)

Kompsatos is a river flowing in Thrace. It originates from the Rhodope Mountains and the area of ​​Echinos. After following a course of  68 kilometers between steep and inaccessible slopes, it ends in the plain of Xanthi and finally flows into the northern part of Lake Vistonida. According to some scholars, Kompsatos has been identified with the river Kossinitis, which is mentioned in literary works of antiquity. According to mythology, Diomedes' horses turned wild after drinking water from this river. Kompsatos is an important habitat with a rich fauna of about 130 species of birds, some of which are threatened with extinction. Between the villages of Iasmos and Polyanthos, the visitor arrives at the stone bridge over Kompsatos, known as Polyanthos bridge, an Ottoman arched bridge that dates back to the 15th century.

The white stork (lat. Ciconia ciconia ciconia) is a long-distance migratory bird. It lives near human settlements, in areas with wetlands, flooded rice fields, meadows, and extensive farmlands. It avoids cold and wet areas with low temperatures, as well as areas with dense vegetation. The white stork feeds mainly on insects, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals, as well as on eggs or bird chicks. The presence of the white stork in Greece has been witnessed since antiquity. As a matter of fact, the scientific name of the species Ciconia is the translational equivalent of the Greek word πελαργός (=stork) denoting the ancient Thracian tribe of Cicones. This Homeric tribe was believed to inhabit the south coast of Thrace extending from the delta of river Evros to Lake Vistonida. The same area used to be the habitat of white storks which were highly respected by Cicones. Today, the white stork is a species that is threatened by extinction mainly due to the degradation of its habitat and environmental conditions. Moreover, electrocution and collision with power lines are also referred to as major causes of white stork mortality. Species sounds

Located on the islet of Lake Vistonida or Bourou, near the settlement of Porto Lagos, Agios Nikolaos is a dependency (metochion) of the sovereign Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos. It is connected to the mainland by a wooden bridge and has a small guesthouse. A small brotherhood, originating from the Vatopedi Monastery, operates daily. On December 6th, the feast day of Saint Nicholas, visitors gather here to celebrate. The establishment of the monastery is associated with certain traditions. According to the first one, the area around Vistonida was granted to Vatopedi Monastery by the Byzantine emperor Arcadius, and the monastery of Agios Nikolaos was established as an expression of gratitude to the Virgin Mary for his salvation from a shipwreck near Vatopedi. The second tradition refers to the miraculous rescue of the sick daughter of an Ottoman landowner by an Orthodox hermit who was in the area of Porto Lagos. To thank God for his daughter's rescue, the grateful father donated his land in the area for the establishment of a Christian monastery.   JTI Target (video)

Village in the Abdera Municipality, very close to Vistonida. It is one of the few villages in Thrace where the custom of Babo (Gynaikokratia) is still celebrated every year on the 8th of January. Thracian Electronic Thesaurus

Sycamore (lat. Platanus orientalis L.) is a large deciduous tree that is native in Europe and Asia, from the Balkans to Iran. It grows near the banks of rivers, in areas with temperate climate, and in areas with aquatic vegetation. The leaves and bark of the sycamore have medicinal properties. VOTANIKI - Portal for fauna and vegetation

Village on the border of Xanthi and Rodopi, at the point where Vistonida lake joins the Thracian Sea. It is a famous fishing site, although not as rich as it used to be. The main species are the sea bass and the sand steenbras. Good news for bird watchers, as the surrounding pines are filled with herons. The area is also suitable for cycling or walking, as there are bike lanes, dirt roads and paths. Of course, you can have great boat trips, too. The Pilot X Project (video)

It is one of the greatest cultural events in the area of Kavala; it is held in July and August mainly at the Ancient Theater of Philippi. Certain events also take place at other venues all over the city: the Fortress, the Imaret, the Old Music, the Gardens of Mehmet Ali, schools, temples, and folk cafes, but also places around the archeological site of Philippi, such as the Mud Baths of Krinides. Since 1957, it attracts thousands of Greeks and foreigners who visit it, to attend performances of ancient drama, but also contemporary plays, concerts of great artists, dance groups and dance performances, poetry evenings, exhibitions, and various other events. ALL ABOUT FESTIVALS Visit Kavala https://www.kavalagreece.gr/en/

An important city of Macedonia The city was founded by settlers from Thassos Island, in 360 BC as the area was fertile, it provided abundant timber, it was rich in precious metal deposits and of course it was strategically located. These were the reasons why the king of Macedonia, Philip II, agreed to help the new inhabitants when they asked for his help, while being attacked by the Thracians. In 356 BC Philip II captured and fortified the city, giving it his name. A period of development for the city followed. In addition to the defensive wall and the houses, the theater and various other public buildings were built.  In 148 BC Macedonia was conquered by the Romans. Via Egnatia connected Philippi with the other centers of the time, contributing to the development of the city. In 42 BC Octavian captured the city after the battle of Philippi. Since then, it became an important flourishing Roman colony, known as Colonia Augusta Julia Philippensis. An important milestone for the city was the preaching of the Christian religion by Apostle Paul and his imprisonment in 49 AD. As a result, the first Christian community was founded in Philippi. As Christianity prevailed as the official religion of the new state with Constantinople its capital, Philippi developed into a religious center and was upgraded to a metropolis. In the early Christian period (4th-6th AD) three basilicas were built and the metropolitan church dedicated to the Apostle Paul. The "Octagon" complex, built on the site of older Roman buildings, is also of special architectural importance. Recession in the city of Philippi is observed in the 7th century AD when Slavic raids and intense seismic activity forced its inhabitants to abandon it. In the following centuries it functioned as a Byzantine fortified settlement until its conquest by the Ottomans in about 1383 when it was abandoned.  The visitor of the archeological site can walk in the ancient city of Philippi and see the most important buildings. These are the citadel, the city walls with a total length of 3.5 km and construction phases from the period of King Philip II (4th century BC) and Justinian I (6th century AD). The theater of Philippi was built by Philip II in the middle of the 4th century BC. The special characteristics and the needs of the Roman spectacles brought modifications to the theater in the 2nd and 3rd c. A.D. The forum, the complex of public buildings in the Roman market, was the administrative, religious and economic center of Philippi in the Roman period. From the later period, when Christianity succeeded the old religion, the following buildings survive. The building complex "Octagon", east of the market. This, in addition to the episcopal octagonal church, included a baptistery, a two-story residence of the bishop and a monumental gate to the Via Egnatia. The existence of three other large Christian temples reveals the size and importance of the city during the early Byzantine period. The three-aisled basilica A from the end of the 5th century AD dimensions 130x50m., the later, 550 AD, three-aisled basilica B with a dome, which is not preserved today. A particular characteristic of this basilica was the dome on the sacred step. The great importance of the church and the early Byzantine city is reflected in the artistic influences from the capital on the sculptural decoration. It is worth noting that Basilica B was built on the Roman palace.  Equally majestic and richly decorated is the Basilica C dating to the 6th c. AD with double pulpit and rich marble paneling and sculptural decoration. The Roman cistern is located near Basilica A. Here, Apostle Paul is believed to have been imprisoned and for this reason it is called the "prison" of the Apostle Paul and was turned into a place of worship.  The findings of the excavations carried out from 1914 until today are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Philippi.  The Early Christian monuments are among the best-preserved monuments of this type. The Archaeological Site of Philippi has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. Ministry of Culture  Diazoma  Unesco  Egnatia Motorway S.A. National Geographic JTI Target (video)