Archaeological Site of Philippi

Who we are

Today the visitor reaches the archaeological site of Philippi, to the west of the municipal district of Krinides, by following the Kavala-Drama provincial road. The most important monuments and archaeological complexes of the site are: the walls and the acropolis, the theatre, the agora, "Basilica A", "Basilica B", and an octagonal church. The walls begin at the top of the hill, where the fortified acropolis stands, and enclose its foothills and part of the plain (first phase -Philip II- mid-4th century BC; second phase -Justinian I, 527-565 AD). Within the acropolis there is a tower from the Late Byzantine period. The total length of the perimeter of the walls reaches 3.5 km. The theatre was most probably built by King Philip II around the mid-4th century BC. In the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, significant alterations and additions were made to adapt its function to the needs of Roman-era spectacles. The Roman agora (forum) was the administrative centre of Philippi in the Roman era. It is a unified, planned complex of public buildings organised around a central square with monumental structures, the north-eastern and north-western temples. To the north of the agora runs a large paved road that has been identified with the ancient Via Egnatia. Basilica A dates to around the end of the 5th century AD. It is a large, three-aisled basilica measuring 130x50 m, with a transverse aisle on the eastern side, a square atrium, a gallery above the aisles and narthex, and a distinctive fountain (phiale). In the middle aisle, parts of the luxurious paving and part of the ambo are preserved. Particularly impressive are the wall paintings (imitating marble revetment) of the vestibule of the chapel. Basilica B dates to around 550 AD. It is a three-aisled basilica with a narthex and annexes to the north and south (fountain, diaconicon). The almost square central aisle was covered by a dome, which rested on large piers. The sanctuary was roofed with a vault. Its sculptural decoration reflects Constantinopolitan influence. Basilica C is a magnificent three-aisled basilica with a narthex and transverse aisle, a double ambo, luxurious marble floor inlays, and rich sculptural and architectural decoration. It dates to the 6th century AD. The "Octagon" was the complete complex of the episcopal church of Philippi. It includes the octagonal church, which shows three building phases (from the late 4th/early 5th to the mid-6th century AD), built on the site of an oratory dedicated to the Apostle Paul (early 4th century AD). This house had in turn been founded on the site of a Late Hellenistic tomb-heroon. The complex also includes a fountain, a baptistery, a bath, a two-storey bishop's residence, and a monumental gateway towards the Via Egnatia. The "Prison" of the Apostle Paul is located to the south of Basilica A. According to tradition, it is believed that the Apostle Paul was imprisoned in this place. In reality, it is a Roman water cistern, which was later converted into a place of worship. The Palaestra has been largely covered by Basilica B. It included a central peristyle courtyard, rooms, and a small amphitheatre. The best-preserved space is the latrines (vespasianae) in the south-eastern corner of the building. The rectangular building (measuring 27 x 10 m) uncovered to the south of the Forum of the Roman city, with a portico featuring a six-columned Corinthian colonnade on its facade, is identified by its architectural layout and the inscriptions found within it as the Roman commercial market (macellum). The complex consisted of a central peristyle courtyard, to the right and left of which were the shops. The commercial market complex is separated from that of the Forum by a wide road (9 m wide), the commercial street. It is a structure of the Antonine period (second half of the 2nd century AD), contemporary with the Forum. In the mid-6th century AD, the greater part of it was destroyed down to the foundations to create the space needed for the building of Basilica B. Only its northern part survived, with the six-columned colonnade, which was incorporated by the Byzantine architect into the basilica, forming the monumental entrance to its northern aisle. Ancient Theatre The ancient theatre of Philippi is an important monument. Its present form is the result of successive building alterations, which represent various phases in the history of the city. It is located on the south-eastern slope of the acropolis hill, adjoining the eastern wall of the city, on which it rests. Its original phase, contemporary with the city walls, dates back to the reign of Philip II, King of Macedonia (mid-4th century BC). From this phase the retaining walls (vertical walls that supported the cavea of the theatre) of the cavea -that is, the area where the spectators sat- and of the parodoi -the passages leading to the orchestra of the theatre- survive. At this time the orchestra, the open central area where the actors "performed", had a horseshoe shape. This theatre continued to be used by the Roman colonists, after it was adapted to suit the new spectacles of Roman society and to accommodate numerous spectators. In the 2nd century AD, the theatre acquired a typical Roman form, with a magnificent three-storey stage building, an orchestra paved with marble slabs, and a cavea extending over the parodoi, which are covered with vaulted constructions. An idea of this form of the theatre is given by the southern portico of the stage building, which was recently restored and bears, on the fronts of its piers, relief slabs with depictions related to the god Dionysus (maenads, etc.). In the 3rd century AD, the theatre was converted into an arena for wild-beast fights. The proscenium was demolished and the first rows of seats of the cavea were removed. Around the perimeter of the orchestra, a wall 1.20 m high was raised, with a railing to protect the spectators from the beasts. Indeed, for the keeping and easier transfer of the beasts into the arena, a large rectangular underground space was created at the southern end of the orchestra. In this phase, the epitheatron must also have been built, a vaulted construction at the highest part of the cavea, which supported new rows of seats and increased the theatre's capacity. In the late Roman period (late 3rd-early 4th century AD), the two arches must have been built to buttress the theatre against the neighbouring wall. In the Early Christian period (5th-6th century AD), the theatre ceased to function as a venue for performances. Its abandonment must be related to the prevalence of Christianity and the new customs that were no longer in keeping with wild-beast fights or theatrical performances. The portico at the rear of the stage building was converted into a workshop space. With the destruction of the stage by fire, probably related to the great earthquake that destroyed the city of Philippi at the beginning of the 7th century AD, the systematic demolition of the theatre began, with the aim of using its members as building material for the construction of new buildings. During the Early Byzantine period, the stage building and the area to the south-east of the theatre housed workshops. Finally, during the period of Ottoman rule, the cobbled road that, until the early 20th century, connected Kavala with Drama by crossing the archaeological site of Philippi, passed in front of the theatre. The earliest information we have about the theatre in modern times comes from European travellers who visited the area from the mid-16th century onwards. The systematic excavation of the theatre began in 1921-1927 by the French School of Archaeology and continued at the end of the 1950s by the Archaeological Service under D. Lazaridis. During this time, the theatre underwent rapid and makeshift interventions so that it could serve the needs of the Philippi Festival. The 18th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities of Kavala resumed excavation research in 1974 and, from 1993, in collaboration with the Department of Architecture of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, began a programme of excavation research, conservation studies, and restoration of the theatre, which is still ongoing. Author: Maria Nikolaidou-Patera, archaeologist ------------- The sales point of the Archaeological Resources and Expropriations Fund is located near the parking area and the cafeteria of the archaeological site. Cards, slides, and a few publications of the Archaeological Resources and Expropriations Fund are also sold at the two ticket offices located at the entrances to the archaeological site.

The ancient city of Philippi was founded on the edge of the marshes that covered the southeastern part of the plain of Drama. The city of Philippi is the most important archaeological site in Eastern Macedonia. Its first settlers were colonists from Thasos, who in 360 BC founded the colony of Krenides. The city flourished during the Hellenistic period. The Thasian colonists founded the colony aware of the region's wealth in precious metals, timber and agricultural products. Very soon (365 BC) the new colony, threatened by the Thracians, sought the help of Philip II, king of Macedonia. Foreseeing the city's economic and strategic importance, he captured it, fortified it and gave it his name: Philippi. During its period of development, in the Hellenistic period, the city acquired its walls, the theatre, public buildings and private residences. The passage of the "Via Egnatia" through Philippi, in the 2nd century BC, gave the city greater significance, as it turned it into a point of reference for the region. In 42 BC the dramatic Battle of Philippi outside the western walls of the city completely changed its character, since after his victory Octavian transformed it into a Roman colony (Colonia Augusta Julia Philippensis). Thus the city grew and emerged as an economic, administrative and artistic centre. Another important event, however, was destined once again to change the character of the city: the arrival of the Apostle Paul, who founded here the first Christian church on European soil in AD 49/50. The prevalence of the new religion and the transfer of the capital of the Roman state to Constantinople lent prestige to Philippi. During the Early Christian period (4th-6th centuries AD), on the site of the Roman buildings, the complex of the ''Octagon'' was founded, with the metropolitan church dedicated to the Apostle Paul, as well as three magnificent basilicas. The city began to be abandoned at the beginning of the 7th century AD because of major earthquakes and Slavic raids. It survived in the Byzantine period as a fortified stronghold, while its desolation was completed with the Turkish conquest at the end of the 14th century. Excavation research began at Philippi in 1914 by the French Archaeological School. After the Second World War, the Archaeological Service and the Archaeological Society conducted systematic excavations. Today the Archaeological Service, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the French Archaeological School continue the archaeological research. The finds from the excavations are kept in the Archaeological Museum of Philippi. Every year during the summer months (from May to September) the site is cleared of vegetation to facilitate and ensure the safe access of visitors. Author: Maria Nikolaidou-Patera, archaeologist

Managing authority

Ephorate of Antiquities of Kavala

How to get here

It is located next to the municipal district of Krinides, 15 km from Kavala and 21 km from Drama. The visitor can use the regular intercity bus service (KTEL) or a private car. 31 km east of Kavala is Kavala State Airport.

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What you should know