The Crossroads of Empires and Christianity
Philippi is the most important archaeological site in Eastern Macedonia and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2016. The city was initially founded in 360 BC as Krenides by Thracian colonists led by the exiled Athenian Kallistratos. However, in 356 BC, Philip II conquered it and renamed it, transforming it into a powerful economic and military centre thanks to the exploitation of the gold mines of Mount Pangaio.
The Roman Colony and the Apostle Paul
The city's fate was sealed by the historic Battle of Philippi in 42 BC, when Octavian and Antony triumphed over Brutus and Cassius. This victory transformed it into one of the most important Roman colonies, as its strategic location on the Via Egnatia facilitated trade and movement. Shortly thereafter, in 49-50 AD, the Apostle Paul visited the city and established the first Christian church on European soil. The splendour of Philippi endured for centuries, until the great earthquakes and Slavic raids after the 7th century led to its gradual abandonment, which was completed with the Turkish conquest.
The Most Significant Architectural Remains
Today, visitors can marvel at monuments that attest to its enduring power:
The Roman Colony and the Apostle Paul
The city's fate was sealed by the historic Battle of Philippi in 42 BC, when Octavian and Antony triumphed over Brutus and Cassius. This victory transformed it into one of the most important Roman colonies, as its strategic location on the Via Egnatia facilitated trade and movement. Shortly thereafter, in 49-50 AD, the Apostle Paul visited the city and established the first Christian church on European soil. The splendour of Philippi endured for centuries, until the great earthquakes and Slavic raids after the 7th century led to its gradual abandonment, which was completed with the Turkish conquest.
The Most Significant Architectural Remains
Today, visitors can marvel at monuments that attest to its enduring power:
- The Ancient Theatre: An imposing structure dating back to the 4th century BC, still in use today.
- The Roman Agora: The administrative centre featuring a unique 40sq.m mosaic floor, commissioned by Marcus Aurelius.
- The Palaestra: A complex featuring rooms and a peristyle courtyard, designed for the education of young people.
- The Prison of Paul: A Roman cistern that, according to tradition, once “hosted” the Apostle.
- The Octagon and the Basilicas: Magnificent temples from the 5th and 6th centuries that showcase the area's Christian heritage.
- The Walls and the Acropolis: The late Byzantine tower offers panoramic views of the historic plain.