Place of interest

The Roman Via Egnatia: past the Agios Silas Monastery, is part of the Roman Via Egnatia.

The Ancient City of Philippi: this is the most interesting archaeological site in the prefecture. The Thasians once called the city Krenides. In 356 BC Philip II, King of Macedonia, took control of the city so he could gain control of the gold mined in the foothills of Mt. Pangaion. The site has the ruins of two Basilicas, one that collapsed after earthquake and the other collapsed due to bad design. The theatre is perhaps the best preserved of the ruins, though it has been restored, during the summer months ancient plays and comedies are performed here.

The other remains that still show their function today are fifty marble toilets near the Roman Forum. The Roman crypt where it is said St. Paul was incarcerated for teaching the gospel to the Lydians, the first people in Europe to accept Christianity. On the river bank nearby where his teachings took place is the Church of the Lydians. The city dell into decline after its capture by Frankish troops in the 13th century.

The Philippi Archaeological Museum is located at the foot of the hill where the ruins of the ancient acropolis still stand. Here the visitor can see unique finds from the prehistoric, ancient, Roman and Byzantine periods.

The Ancient City of Amphipolis: was the most important Athenian city in the north of Greece. The remains still visible are the “Lion of Amphipolis”, from the 4 th century BC a burial monument on the other side of the river Strymon. On the site itself are the remains of an acropolis, Christian basilicas with mosaic floors and several tombs.