During the Age of the Macedonians, Amphipolis was designated to a very powerful city within the Macedonian kingdom, with domestic autonomy and important financial and cultural prosperity. The excavations have revealed a quite large part of the city walls and some of the sanctuaries, as well as the private and public buildings of the city. After the conquest of Macedonia by the Romans (168 B.C.) Amphipolis is defined as the capital of the first part of Macedonia.
The Roman era is for Amphipolis a period of prosperity within the frame of the Roman world domination. Being a landmark of the Egnatia road and the capital of a rich inland, the city develops financially and culturally. There are also catastrophes and lootings, but with the support of the Roman emperors, especially Augustus and Andrianos, it still remains one of the most important urban centres of Macedonia up to the last ancestry. The city’s prosperity is reflected on the monumentary buildings with their mosaic floors and murals
Philippi was an ancient city of the Eastern Macedonia which at first was named Krinides, and today is located in the prefecture of Kavala. Apostle Paul found the first Christian church upon European ground, in Philippi. The area of Philippi is incessantly inhabited at least by indigenous residents since the Neolithic Age. The history of the settlement of Philippi begins in 360/359 B.C. when the settlers from Thasos founded the first city, named Krinides. When in 356 B.C. were threatened by the Thraces, they asked from Philip B’ (father of Alexander the Great) to help them. He, after understanding the financial and strategic importance of the city, conquered it, fortified it and renamed it to Philippi.
8:00 Departure from Thessaloniki 9:30 Arrival at Amphipolis, visit the monuments
10:30 Departure from Amphipolis 11:15 Arrival at Philippi 12:15 Departure from Philippi 12:30 Coffee break at Kavala 13:30 Departure from Kavala 15:30 Arrival at Thessaloniki
Duration 7,5 hours, Cost 230 € ΤΑΧΙ up to 4 people Minivan: cost defined upon order/ availability
