Philippi (UNESCO World Heritage Site, Greece), Kavala and the Aegean Coast (Greece)

This excursion is optional for the students taking part in the field school Bresto: Digging in the Time of Troy and it is not covered by the reimbursement payment.

Kavala is a city and major seaport in northern Greece. It is situated on the Bay of Kavala. In Antiquity the name of the city was Neapolis (“New City”) and in the Middle ages it was named Christoupolis (“City of Christ”). The city was founded in the late 7th century BCE by settlers from the island of Thassos. It was one of several Thassian colonies along the coastline, all founded in order to take advantage of rich gold and silver mines, especially those located in the nearby Pangaion Mountains. Kavala has a lot to offer to its visitors:    

• scenic walks in the Old Town Quarter or along the sea promenade   
• splendid views over the city, the Ottoman aqueduct and the island of Thassos   
• interesting visits to the old Ottoman imaret (now a 5-star hotel), the birth house of Muhammad Ali of Egypt and the Sudan - the Albanian Ottoman governor and de facto ruler of Egypt from 1805 to 1848, considered the founder of modern Egypt, the aqueduct built by Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and the City Museum.   
• excellent Mediterranean foods and drinks in the numerous city taverns and restaurants.

Philippi (UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2016) was an ancient city near Kavala named Crenides ("Fountains") after its establishment by Thasian colonists in 360/359 BCE. It was renamed by Philip II of Macedon in 356 BCE and continued its existence as Phillippi until the Ottoman conquest in the 14th century. Caesar's heirs Mark Antony and Octavian confronted the forces of his assassins Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus at the Battle of Philippi on the plain to the west of the city during October in 42 BCE. The New Testament records a visit to the city by the apostle Paul during his second missionary journey (likely in AD 49 or 50). Between the mid-4th century and the end of the 6th century seven imposant churches were built in Philippi, some of which competed in size and decoration similar to the most beautiful buildings in Thessaloniki and Constantinople.   

Price per person: 235 EUR (Minimum group size 6 pax)   

The tour/price includes:

The tour/price does not include:    

• Lunches and dinners   
  
• Museum tickets and entry fees (app. 10-12 EUR)
  
• Passport & Visa fees       
• Single room accommodation (additional 50 EUR)