Philippi, Kavala: Day 5

Heading for Philippi we stopped along the way to view the massive statue of the Lion of Amphipolis. This statue erected in the 1930s, having been rediscovered then, is thought to have been commissioned by Alexander the Great and dates back to the 4th century BC.

We pressed on with a long journey to Kavala, the site of Paul's seabound entry into Macedonia. From here he would make his way inland to the Roman colony of Philippi along the Via Egnatia, which is the Roman road that stretches from Rome for 500 miles eastward. Our bus trip only took a few minutes to reach the archeological site of ancient Philippi. This is a vast area that has among other things a forum, four churches, Bishop's house/palace, shops, houses, library, streets, baths. The mosaics that have been uncovered inside the octagonal church are a highlight.

Also at this archeological site is an ancient theatre seating many thousands of people - now sometimes used for performances. In an adjacent area a group of chaps were setting up for a concert.
It would be a spectacular view no matter how good or bad the concert.

The group relaxing by the site said to be the meeting place of St Paul and Lydia

  After a traditional Greek lunch (yum) we visited the beautiful shady riverside site said to be the place where St Paul met Lydia and her companions. Next to that site there is modern Greek Orthodox Baptistry, possibly the only one in the country. It is beautifully decorated with frescoes and icons. This completed our visit to Philippi and so we made our way back to the Golden Star Hotel for prayers and dinner, including a farewell to our wonderful guide, Voula.