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.
A city with a distinguished past, Kavala occupies the site of the
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 villages of Kalamitsa
and Kipoupolis just outside town, was founded in the 5th century B.C. Neapolis,
of some what 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 buisiness centre, Kavala is amply endowed with charms
to attract and captivate any visitor, for it has managed to hold onto 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 particularly beguiling, filled with dozens
of brightly coloured fishing caiques bobbing up and down at the quay before set
out at twilight, lamps lit for the night’s adventure.
This text (extract) is cited August 2003 from the Greek
National Tourism Organization tourist pamphlet (1988).
Ancient Neapolis,
the port of Philippi
where apostle Paul first landed on European soil, became the Byzantine town of
Christoupolis, the last stronghold against a host of aggressors; the city was
fortified by Andronikos II Palaeologos only to be pillaged in the 14th century
by irregular bands of Ottoman Turks. From the 15th century, under its new name,
Kavala, this strategically located city once again flowered both economically
and culturally.
Kavala from the 16th to the 19th century
In the middle of the 16th century, the French naturalist Pierre Bellon
described Kavala's walls, baths, places of worship and aqueduct, built during
the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent and the reason for the changed face of the
city (which had previously been reduced to a way station after the Turks destroyed
it in 1391).
Because of the etymology of the word, Bellon believed that Kavala
was founded on the site of the city of Boukefala (Bucephala) and that it was initially
(around 1520-1530) inhabited by Jews of Hungarian origin, who were eventually
surrounded by both Greeks and Muslims.
In the 17th century Evliyia Celebi postulated that the word derived
from Kavalos, son of Philip II, while the French philhellene Charles Sonnini observed
in 1780 that the rock on which the city's houses still cluster resembles a horse
('caballo' in Spanish).
By the end of the 18th century, Kavala had developed into a center
of French commerce
with close ties with Marseille and Constantinople.
It already consisted of five neighborhoods with 900 houses (most of them Turkish).
Outside the fortified peninsula, cotton warehouses were built, which together
with the inns and the customs house gradually came to constitute the city's business
district.
Kavala in the 19th century
While business activities were beginning to spread beyond the city
walls, the administrative center (the Turkish governor's residence) continued
to be located within the fortified hilly peninsula. Between two and three thousand
people were packed into this area, which measured less than 25 acres. Initially,
this was where the small Greek community of Panayia (on the site of the Byzantine
town of Christoupolis) was located.
The future regent of Egypt, Mohamed Ali, was born in the old city.
During his heyday, in 1812, he built the poorhouse where the ancient Parthenon
temple had stood; also called the 'tebelhane' (inn for the lazy), it was later
converted into a muslim theological school.
The Greek business community, which from the mid-19th century had
begun to show considerable growth, built new churches (Ayios Ioannis, 1865-1867),
schools (e.g. the Parthenagogeio or Girls School), hospitals (e.g. the Evangelismos),
and some splendid mansions.
The very profitable tobacco
business had already started to attract a constantly rising number of Christians.
Kavala in the early 20th century
At the turn of the century Kavala was growing by leaps and bounds.
Tobacco exports
were at their peak (circa 10,000 tons annually), reaching a value of almost two
million pounds sterling. The tobacco warehouses were brimming with seasonal laborers
from all over eastern Macedonia.
The Greek population, which constituted the majority of the town's
inhabitants, was thriving. Charitable and pro-education societies of men and women,
clubs, hospitals, athletic associations, printing presses and Greek schools of
every level were founded and prospered in a city that was bursting with life and
nationalist hopes. The newspaper "Flag" was the mouthpiece for advocates
of a free Macedonia.
With the Greek vice consulate as headquarters, prosperous Kavala took
part in the Macedonian
Struggle, both by organizing Greek guerrilla bands and by acting as a post
for the transport and distribution of military supplies and arms.
Kavala after the liberation
Kavala was liberated and incorporated into the Greek state on 6 June
1913, after seven months of Bulgarian occupation.
The city spread out impressively along the waterfront, where most
of the tobacco warehouses were located. Within one century its population had
grown tenfold and its economic prosperity was more than evident.
The change in the flow of trade
at the end of the 19th century and the isolation of the port of Kavala from the
railroad
network had not affected the export traffic. The town's modernization and
wealth, which soon easily absorbed some 25,000 refugees from Thrace and Asia
Minor, was disrupted only by the destruction dealt by the Bulgarian occupations
during the First and Second World Wars.
By kind permission of:Ekdotike Athenon
This text is cited Nov 2003 from the Macedonian Heritage URL below, which contains images.
There are some places winning your heart at first sight, making you
feel familiar as if you have known them for ages, even when you visit them for
the first time! Some cities friendly, warm and also fascinating, beautiful, able
to keep you forever there, by them. That's exactly the feeling Kavala gives you,
because it isn't just a beautiful place, but a modern town with a long-lasting
historical background and a wealth of tradition, unique landscapes, but overall
with hospitable people! It is the city, which will convince you immediately of
its advantages in all the aspects of life.Traveling towards Kavala means penetrating
the heart of Eastern Macedonia. This historical, amazing city located like an
amphitheater by the sea, combines all the things that could satisfy the most demanding
visitor: mountains and sea, picturesque scenery and modern life, archaeological
sightseeing, exciting excursions, cultural activities and tranquillity within
nature... That's Kavala!
Position - access
It takes about 2 hours (165kms) to reach it by car from Thessaloniki.
It also takes the same time from here to the last European City to the east, Alexandroupolis
(174kms).
Easily accessible, by all means, air, sea and land, Kavala becomes
the perfect destination with its frequent, comfortable communications with the
islands of the Aegean Sea, the rest of Greece and Europe. There are international
charter flights too, departing from the modern airport, situated 20km outside
the city and considered as one of the safest in the Balkans. In Kavala there are
available all kinds of public services (governmental services, banks, hospitals
etc.) as well as the characteristic hospitable spirit of its 60.000 inhabitants!
Historical flash-back
2600 years are too many to explore at once!
Kavala's journey through history starts approximately in the
Homeric era. Thanks to its position it has always been the focus of attention.
"Neapolis"
(new city) was the original name of the city (7th century BC) which was an alien
of Athens at the time
of Pericles (5th century BC). It was also a very important center during the Macedonian
Age. Neapolis was the very first place St. Paul stepped on European land when
he came here to preach the Holy Bible and spread the Christian religion. For this
reason, during the Byzantine time it was renamed "Christoupolis". It's
port was an important commercial location, which attracted the interest of the
Romans and became the cause of destructive attacks by Goths, Huns, Normans and
Bulgarians. During the 15th century it falls into the hands of Turks and remains
occupied up to the beginning of the 20th century. After its liberation it becomes
a modern city.
The Old City
Nostalgic rambles into the city of the past!
There is one thing for sure: That you are going to enjoy many
rambles. You will walk throughout the stone-paved alley, which leads to the "Imaret",
a characteristic Islamic building of Mohammed Ali, founder of the last Egyptian
dynasty, and to the peninsula of Panagia.
First of all, you will pass from the lighthouse, where you will spend a
lot of time admiring the magnificent, complete view of Kavala. After that, you
have to walk up to the Castle, visit its tower, feel the life of other ages.
Walking throughout the scenic alleys you will get to the other side
of the old city, the famous "Kamares", the Roman aqueduct that was reconstructed
by the sultan Suleiman the Magnificent around 1550. It is the gate, which on one
side opens to the traditional shipyard and caulking area and on the other to the
heart of the modern city.
New City
A city, really Greek in beauty and hospitality!
Kavala is a large balcony to the sun, the sea and the full-moon
nights. It unfolds on the slopes of the hill like an amphitheater, ending at the
beautiful seaside and its lovely port.
Kavala breathes deeply in the Public Garden, next to the Heroes' Monument,
which keeps alive its historical memory. The statue of the tobacco worker stands
in the middle of the homonymous square and right behind it there is the imposing
building of the old tobacco warehouse with its wide windows and the excellent
artistic architectural decoration. The last century turns into present through
elegant mansions, which are located in the center of the city witnessing nobility
and civilization. It's worth to admire the Town hall, the Municipal Library, the
building of the Byzantine Antiquities Authority and the Municipal Museum and take
photos of them to complete your collection. You will find all these in the heart
of the modern city, carefully decorated with parks and pavements, where all the
streets lead to the palm-trees of the seaside promenade.
Coastal Kavala
Plentiful light, color and sea for the eyes!
The best of tourism in a city full of life! Kavala is the kind of city
that creates a strong relationship with its visitor. That's why you can't come
here just once. But, the most important you will realize from the very first moment
is that every day differs offering you new experiences.
The beaches of the city
In Kavala the summer has many possible names. It may be named Perigiali,
Rapsani, Kalamitsa, Batis,
Tosca, Palio... Each
name belongs to a beach of the city, starting from its very center. The most distant
one is just 6km away, decorating with its refreshing beauty the landscape. All
of them offer crystal-clear water, prizewinners of the Blue Flag of Europe. As
a matter of fact, Kavala has of the most modern Biological Sewage Treatment Plant
in the Mediterranean. Visit all of them! Swim during the sunny day and ramble
at night in the moonlight, every time in a different environment, just by walking.
"Protege" of the city are the coasts of Perigiali, at 1500m to the east
and Rapsani, 200m only from the center. You also have to see romantic Batis, natty
Tosca, Kalamitsa and Palio which "goes to bed" late...
There is an exotic landscape, 40km eastern of Kavala, on the mouth
of the river Nestos,
really unusual for Greece. A small verdant peninsula with a wide sandy beach reaching
out into the sea, is a Pacific's island in the Mediterranean!
Mountainous Kavala
The highlands
The mountainous highlands of Kavala are waiting to offer you
another kind of emotions. Palia Kavala (16km), Koryfes
(23km), Platamonas (35km),
Kechrocambos (55km)
are some of the picturesque villages you will find during your excursion. You
are going to have some rest at their commons, their cafes or taverns while the
main subject to talk about, will be the wonderful, amazing landscape. On the mountain
of Pangeon, about 44km
from Kavala is the Byzantine monastery (nunnery of nowadays) of Icosifinissa,
one more serious reason to take you off the city and its nice beaches.
This text is cited January 2005 from the Kavala Municipality Tourist Enterprise URL below, which contains images
Panagia is a traditional settlement that was built on the foundations of the first colony of the Thasians, below the castle, and till the end of the 19th century it was the center of the town of Kavala.
It is built on a hill on the Via Egnatia, between the ancient cities
of Chrysoupolis (Eiona) and Anaktoroupolis (Oisyme). It is probably dated to the
years of the Palaiologoi.
The tower
has two vaulted floors and flat roof. It is surrounded by a small rectangular
fortification wall and other buildings. It has two arched gates, higher than ground
level, large arched windows and small openings on all sides. The floors communicated
with each other by means of a stone stairway.
Extensive consolidation work has been carried out at the monument
and the hill around the tower has been protected with a fence.
This text is cited August 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains image.
Mehmet Ali was the founder of the Egyptian dynasty.
Built in 1899, it used to be the residence of the German baron Adolf Wix. Nowadays, it belongs to the Municipality of Kavala.
Nowadays it houses the Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities. It was built in 1879 by the tobacco trader d. Tokou.
This is a muslim edifice of the 19th century, which was consructed by Mehmet Ali, the founder of the Egyptian dynasty.
It was built in 1895. It used to be the residence of the Hungarian tobacco trader Pierre Herzog.
It was built in 1909. Nowadays it houses the municipal library.
Built at the end of the 19th cent., it housed the French Consulate.
This is an aqueduct of the 16th century erected by Suleiman the Magnificent.
There is a lighthouse with marvellous view.
1 skyfos & 31 fragments from different vases were found at Kavala.
1910
A composer.
He was born in Kavala in 1939. His parents taught him the love for
the Church of Jesus Christ. Very young, he settled in Thessaloniki
with his family. During his high-school years, he began to study Byzantine Music.
His first tutor was the theoretician Abraham Euthymiadis in “St. Demetrius”
tutorial school.
In 1956 he met the Great Master, Chief Cantor Mr. Athanasios Karamanis,
who catechized him into the patriarchal style. Since 1958 he chants in various
churches of Thessaloniki and
since 2002 he is First Chanter of the Holy Church of St. George of Panorama.
In 1968 he graduated from the “Macedonian Conservatory”. His teachers
were A. Karamanis and Ch. Taliadoros. He taught in the Municipal Conservatory
of Thessaloniki and in the
School of the Arnea Cathedral.
For quite a while he was broadcasting from one of the State Radio
Channels of Thessaloniki.
In 1990 he was twice a guest chanter in America.
In the last 22 years, thousands of copies of his 10 personal cassettes have been
released. Lately, cassettes and CDs of the Byzantine Choir “St. John Koukouzelis”
(that Mr. Daskalakis founded and conducts this day) have also been released. In
January 1994 Mr. Daskalakis was awarded the golden medal of St. Cyril and Methodius
from His Holiness the Metropolite of Thessaloniki,
Mr. Panteleimon B', for his contribution to the promotion of Byzantine Music.
In January 2002 he founded a School for Byzantine Music in the Holy
Church of St. John of Panorama.
He strongly believes that his young and talented students will go on serving Byzantine
Music, this way being his successors.
This text is cited January 2004 from the Municipality
of Patmos, the Prefecture
of Dodecanese, the Holy
Monastery of St. John the Theologian and the Ministry
of the Aegean tourist pamphlet (2003).
16/6/2002 - 30/6/2002
The city celebrates its liberation during the first half of June, with cultural and artistic festivities in the open-air theater of the Castle of Panagia and the squares of the city under the supervision of the Municipality.
This church was built on the place of a ruined 15th century church, which was dedicated to the Virgin Mary (= Panagia) as well.
Tel: +30 2510 242511
Whichever the sports you prefer are, get ready to enjoy them! You
see, Kavala and its beauties prepare your best humor! You are going to have the
possibility to enjoy your favorite water-sports and games at almost all of its
shores. At some of them, you can get help by experienced trainers in order to
exercise a new to you sport.
The sails swell in the wind and the try of steering the boat makes
you feel the excitement of sailing, an experience you can have in Kavala by the
available Sailing and Water-sports Clubs which have a long tradition in this.
Within the hotel complexes you can find tennis-courts, basketball,
and volleyball grounds available to you and your friends. But the variety of sporting
chances doesn't stop at the seaside, it extends also on to the highlands.
Mount Pangeon, with its refuges offers the unique experience of climbing.
For the feeling of freedom skiing offers to its fans, there is an organized ski
resort in the Orpheus Valley.
Kavala of the mountain and water sports is a challenging reality.
The entertainment here can have modern or traditional style. Its purpose can be
the tranquil or the dynamic relaxation, the warm friendly talk or the pursuit
of tension and excitement. Anyway, Kavala has a proposal for any case, for all
seasons and all tastes. The small traditional cafes of the port, the neighborhoods
and the center of the city, offer you a pleasant break during the daytime. If
you have enough time, you can challenge your friends to bet on a backgammon game
about who is going to pay the traditional Greek coffee, the "ouzo" (traditional
Greek drink) or the dessert you will order.
In the coastal taverns, sitting in the fresh shade of the trees, hearing
the waves of the sea, you may enjoy the unbelievable variety of small traditional
"dishes" of Kavala. From the beginning to the end of the seashores,
inside and also around the city, the reflection of the lights of the night-clubs
and pubs is glowing in the waters every night, as they are placed right above
the sea, with original drinks and fine music for all the tastes and all the ages.
You could visit them in turn and finish your night in a nightclub with live music.
This text is cited January 2005 from the Kavala Municipality Tourist Enterprise URL below, which contains images
It isn't just an exaggeration. There are some places really generously
blessed by nature. Kavala with its natural environment belongs to these blessed
lands and an excursion means a golden chance to the visitor.
Western coasts: An azure vacation
On the western side of the city and for 40 kilometers, picturesque
coastlines and cosmopolitan beaches alternate continuously. Kalamitsa (2km) and
Batis (3km) are organized
beaches, giving the chance for several sea sports. Toska
(4km) and Palio (6km) offer modern tourist facilities marvelous beaches and, indeed,
clean water. N. Iraklitsa
(13km) has a large blue bay and many attractive open-air taverns. N.
Peramos (18km) offers an unusual for Greece landscape with sandy hills and
vineyards, which produce the famous table-grapes of Peramos and fine quality wine.
In the summertime theatrical and musical performances take place in this area
under the name "Grapes Festival of Eleochori". The spas of Eleftheres
(Loutra Eleftheron)
(30km) are the ideal place to have some rest in the local thermal springs, which
cure many diseases. The nice beaches of Cariani
and Ofrynio (40km) are
those ones first meets coming from Thessaloniki.
This text is cited January 2005 from the Kavala Municipality Tourist Enterprise URL below, which contains images
15/7 - 31/7
In Kavala castle and in many other locations within Kavala Prefecture.
Tel: +30 2510 622243, 622273
Tel: +30 2513 505400
Tel: +30 2510 223607, 622211, 622291
Tel: +30 2510 223167, 223291
Tel: +30 2510 223421, 226147, 230538, 220067
Fax: +30 2510 230231
Tel: +30 2513 503258
Tel: +30 2513 500100, 500104
Fax: +30 2513 500201
Tel: +30 2510 831388, 831358
Fax: +30 2510 831378
Tel: +30 2510 600060, 600250
Fax: +30 2510 600080
Tel: +30 210 3247512
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