Kavala Audio Walk 🎧 Cultural landmarks and hidden gems of Kavala

From its prehistoric beginnings and the legacy of the ancient Greeks and Romans to the influences of the Byzantines, Ottomans, Jews and many other cultures, Kavala is one of the most fascinating cities in Greece. This self-guided walking tour takes you around the city landmarks, including the famous Kamares aqueduct, the Archaeological Museum, churches and monasteries, and Ottoman-era monuments such as the Imaret and the Halil Bey Mosque. You pass by the museum and the warehouses that bear witness to the all-important tobacco trade of the 19th and 20th centuries and retrace the steps of the Greek refugees from Asia Minor, who changed the face and character of the city when they arrived from 1922. On a walk that takes you from the Fortress-topped Panagia peninsula and cobblestones of Kavala Old Town to the cultural landmarks of the modern city, you enjoy stops that allow you to appreciate the aromas and tastes of this colourful city.

Highlights include

• Tobacco museum & warehouses
• Archaeological Museum
• Architectural gems on Kyprou street
• Halil Bey Mosque 
• The Imaret
• The Fortress
• The Rocks of Panagia
• The Old Aqueduct (Kamares)
• of Greek Refugees

Kavala through the centuries

• 7th Century BC: Founded as Neapolis, a colony of Thasos
• 356 BC: Philip II of Macedon founds Philippi, near Kavala. Neapolis joins the kingdom of the Macedonians in around 350 BC.
• 42 BC: The nearby Battle of Philippi involves the forces of Antony and Octavian against Brutus and Cassius, influencing Kavala’s prominence in the Roman world
• 49 AD: The Apostle Paul lands at Neapolis on his way to Philippi, an important moment for the spread of Christianity in Europe
• 2nd-4th centuries AD: Neapolis thrives as a Roman port and a stop on the Via Egnatia military and trade route
• 9^th-10^th centuries AD: Renamed Christoupolis during Byzantine period, becoming significant trade and religious centre
• 1387: Becomes part of Ottoman empire and, in time, is renamed Kavala
• 18th-19th centuries: Flourishes due to tobacco production and trade, attracting merchants and artisans. Notable mansions and tobacco warehouses built
• 1769: Muhammad Ali, the founder of modern Egypt, is born in Kavala
• 1912: Incorporated into Greece during the Balkan Wars
• 1923: Population grows significantly after population exchange with Turkey, bringing Greek refugees from Asia Minor who enriched Kavala’s culture and economy
• World War 2: Occupied by Axis powers (Bulgaria)
• Post-War era: Continues as an important trade hub in the region, before the tobacco trade is gradually replaced by other agriculture, tourism and cultural preservation