From top left: View of Kavala promenade, monument ofMuhammad Ali, Tobacco Worker's Square, memorial to the fallen warrior with the city hall in the background, Imaret Hotel and the Kavala Fortress, view of the city's port.
It is situated on the Bay of Kavala, across from the island ofThasos and on theA2 motorway, a one-and-a-half-hour drive toThessaloniki (160 kilometres (99 miles) west) and a forty-minute drive toDrama (37 km (23 miles) north) andXanthi (56 km (35 miles) east). It is also about 150 kilometers west ofAlexandroupoli.
Kavala is an important economic centre of Northern Greece, a center of commerce, tourism, fishing and oil-related activities and formerly a thriving trade in tobacco.
Historically the city is known by several names. In antiquity the name of the city wasNeapolis ('new city', like many Greek colonies). In the Early Middle Ages it was renamed toChristo(u)polis ('city of Christ') and from the 16th century and on to Kavala.
The etymology of the modern name of the city is disputed. Some mention an ancient Greek settlement ofSkavala near the town.[3] Others propose that the name is derived from the Italiancavallo which means horse. The city is situated on the ancient route ofVia Egnatia; hence Cavala designated "the horses" (cavalla) where imperial couriers changed horses.[3] The French traveller Bellon, who visited Kavala in 1547, mentions a local tradition that the city initially took its name fromAlexander the Great, who named it "Bukephala", after the name of his horse Bucephalus.[citation needed] Another possibility is that "Kavala" is a Turkish name, given by the Turks after they refounded the city at the beginning of the 16th century.[citation needed] Last but not least, as thearchaeologist Georgios Bakalakis first pointed out, there was a Byzantine fortress named Kavala close to the Byzantine city of Iconium – nowKonya – in Asia Minor.[citation needed] When the Ottomans brought Muslim settlers from Iconium to establish in the territory of Kavala at the beginning of the 16th century, these people brought the name of their homeland with them.[citation needed] Nowadays the city's nickname is "the cyan city" (Η γαλάζια πόλη) and the symbol of the municipality of Kavala is the head of goddess Parthenos, the patron goddess of ancient Neapolis, as depicted in the coinage of the ancient Greek city.
The city was founded in the late 7th century BC by settlers fromThassos. 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 mountain (which were eventually exploited byPhillip II of Macedonia).
Worship of Parthenos/Virgin, a female deity of Greek Ionian origin associated with Athena, is archaeologically attested in the Archaic period. At the end of the 6th century BC Neapolis claimed independence from Thassos and began issuing its own silver coins with thehead of Gorgo (γοργὀνειο) on one side. A few decades later a large Ionic temple made from Thassian marble replaced the Archaic one. Parts of it can now be seen in the town's archaeological museum.
In 411 BC, during thePeloponnesian War, Neapolis was besieged by the allied armies of the Spartans and the Thassians but remained faithful to Athens. Two Athenian honorary decrees in 410 and 407 BC rewarded Neapolis for its loyalty.
Neapolis was a town ofMacedonia, located 14 km (9 mi) from the harbour ofPhilippi. It was a member of theSecond Athenian League; a pillar found in Athens mentions the contribution of Neapolis to the alliance. The town was later conquered by theKingdom of Macedonia.
The ApostlePaul landed at Neapolis during his first voyage to Europe.[5]
View of the old town, with the fortress of Kavala in the backgroundThe arsenal and the food storage in the castle
In the 6th century,Byzantine emperorJustinian I, an Illyrian from Taor, Dardania (Procopius), fortified the city in an effort to protect it from barbarian raids. In laterByzantine times the city was called "Christo(u)polis" (Χριστούπολις, "city of Christ") and belonged initially to thetheme ofMacedonia and later to the Theme of Strymon. The first surviving mention of the new name is in ataktikon of the early 9th century. The city is also mentioned in the "Life of St.Gregory of Dekapolis". In the 8th and 9th centuries,Bulgarian attacks forced the Byzantines to reorganise the defence of the area, giving great care to Christoupolis with fortifications and a notable garrison. The city remained under Byzantine control and in 837 Byzantine armed forces from Christoupolis under the command of Caesar Alexius Moselie stopped Bulgarian raids in the plain of Philippoi.
At about 830–840 AD dates a Greek inscription on the walls of a defensive tower of the fortifications of the city, still visible today, and in 926, according to another inscription (nowadays in the archaeological museum of Kavala), the General of the Theme of Strymon Vasilios Klaudon, restored the "fallen and damaged" defensive walls.
In the mid of the 12th century the Arab geographerEdrisi visited Christoupolis and described it as a well fortified city and a center of sea trade. According to another inscription, also nowadays in the archaeological museum of Kavala, the Normans probably burnt the city in 1185, after they captured first Thessaloniki. Some years later, the city fell to the hands of the Lombards, after the Fourth Crusade and was liberated again by the leader of the state of Epirus, Theodorus Komnenos, in 1225.
Byzantine inscription from a tower of Christoupolis, 830–840 AD
In 1302, theCatalans failed to capture the city. In order to prevent them from coming back, the Byzantine emperorAndronikos III Palaiologos built a new long defensive wall. In 1357 two Byzantine officers and brothers, Alexios and John, controlled the city and its territory. Excavations have revealed the ruins of an early Byzantine basilica under an Ottoman mosque in the Old Town. It was used until the late Byzantine era.
TheOttoman Empire first captured the city in 1387. Kavala remained a part of theOttoman Empire until 1912. In 1519 (Hijri 925) the town was directly owned by the Sultan as ahass, and had 22 Muslim and 61 Christian households.[6] In the 16th century,Ibrahim Pasha,Grand Vizier ofSuleiman the Magnificent, contributed to the town's prosperity and growth by reconstructing the late Roman (1st – 6th century AD)aqueduct.[7] The Ottomans also extended theByzantine fortress on the hill ofPanagia. Both landmarks are among the most recognizable symbols of the city today.
Muhammad Ali, the founder of adynasty that ruledEgypt, moved with his family fromAlbania to Kavala in theRumelia Eyalet when he was young. His father, anAlbanian tobacco and shipping merchant, served as an Ottoman commander of a small unit in Kavala. Muhammad Ali emerged as an Ottoman commander in this city before establishing his dynasty in Egypt. His house has been preserved as a museum.
The Bulgarian occupation of the city lasted from August 1916 until September 1918. Hundreds of victims and eye-witnesses testified about the Bulgarian atrocities in the post-war inter-Allied interrogatory committee, which finally gave its report on 21 April 1919, afterin situ examination of the circumstances.[8]
After theGreco-Turkish War of 1919–1922, the city entered a new era of prosperity because of the labor offered by the thousands of refugees that moved to the area fromAnatolia. The development was both industrial and agricultural. Kavala became greatly involved and developed further in the processing and trading of tobacco. Many buildings related to the storage and processing of tobacco from that era are preserved in the city. During theInterwar period and theSecond Hellenic Republic, Kavala was the 4th largest city in Greece (after Athens, Thessaloniki, and Patras). In 1934Dimitrios Partsalidis was elected mayor of Kavala, the first communist mayor in modern Greek history. The city gained temporarily by the Press, the nickname "Little Moscow".[citation needed]
During theSecond World War and after theBattle of Greece, Bulgaria occupied the city again, following the German invasion (April 1941). During the Bulgarian occupation (1941–1944), almost the entireJewish community of the city was deported, turned over to German authorities and exterminated in theTreblinka death camp as part of theHolocaust.[citation needed]
Following the years after theSecond World War, the city faced economic decline and emigration.
In the late 1950s, Kavala expanded towards the sea byreclaiming land from the area west of the port.
In 1967, KingConstantine II left Athens for Kavala in an unsuccessful attempt to launch a counter-coup against themilitary junta.
On July 16, 2022,Meridian Flight 3032 crashed nearby. TheUkrainian-registeredAntonov An-12BK was carrying 11.5 tons of ammunition fromNiš toDhaka when the plane began to lose altitude over the Aegean and turned around, but went down 35 kilometers west of Kavala Airport. All 8 crew members were killed.[9]
The municipality of Kavala was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the two former municipalities, which became municipal units:[10]
The municipality has an area of 351.35 square kilometres (135.66 square miles).[13] The population of the new municipality was 70,501 in 2011. Based on the 2021 census[12] the population is 66,376 . The seat of the municipality is in Kavala.Some of the most important communities inside new municipality are:
The province of Kavala (Greek:Επαρχία Καβάλας) was one of theprovinces of the Kavala Prefecture. Its territory corresponded with that of the current municipality Kavala, and part of the municipal unitEleftheroupoli.[16] It was abolished in 2006.
Traditionally the primary occupation of the population of Kavala was fishing. The fishermen of the town were well known all over northern Greece.
After the country's industrialization, Kavala also became a center of thetobacco industry in northern Greece. The building of the Municipal Tobacco Warehouse (1910) still stands today.
Oil deposits were found outside the city in the 1970s and are currently being exploited by twooil rigs (Prinos and Epsilon).
The International Hellenic University (panoramic view)
The International Hellenic University (IHU; Greek: Διεθνές Πανεπιστήμιο της Ελλάδος) has five departments in Kavala (Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Management Science and Technology, Accounting and Information Systems). The campus of the institute located in St. Lukas, Kavala and is approximately 132,000 m2 with buildings covering an area of 36,000 m2.
Fisheries Research Institute (FRI)[19] is one of the five specialized research institutes of N.AG.RE.F, being responsible to conduct research and to promote technological development in the fishery sector. The institute is located 17 km (11 mi) from Kavala, inNea Peramos, at the center of a marine area with rich fishery grounds and high biodiversity in the surrounding lagoons, lakes, and rivers.
Institute of Mohamed Ali for the Research of the Eastern Tradition (IMARET)[20] is a registered NGO with the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was established by concerned citizens in Kavala. Its aims include the study of the Egyptian influence in Greece and vice versa. The intra-cultural exchange and dialogue, as well as the promotion of art as a means of intra-cultural understanding. The first major co-operation partner is Cultnat of Bibliotheca Alexandrina with the aim of documenting and digitizing the architectural heritage of the Mohamed Ali era inEgypt and Greece. The most important event that takes place every year at the institute is the International Roman Law Moot Court Competition.
Historical & Literary Archives of Kavala[21] is a non-profiteering, public utility foundation. Its foundation was not subsidized by the Greek State, either by any other enterprise of the private sector. Its operational cost is covered only by its founders and by infrequent aids of the local self-government.
Egnatia Aviation[22] is a private training college for pilots that started training in Greece in July 2006. The facilities of Egnatia Aviation are mostly located in the former passengers' terminal of theKavala International Airport "Alexander the Great".
Kavala hosts a wide array of cultural events, which mostly take place during the summer months. One of the top festivals is the Festival ofPhilippi[23] which lasts from July to September and includes theatrical performances and music concerts. Since 1957, it has been the city's most important cultural event and one of the most important of Greece.
"Cosmopolis" is an international festival held in the Old Town of Kavala that offers an acquaintance with cultures around the world through dancing and musical groups, traditional national cuisines, cinema, and exhibits at the kiosks of participant countries. The first festival took place in 2000, and from 2002 until 2009 was organized annually. It was revived in 2016 with a participation of 250 artists and musicians from all over the world.[25]
"Ilios kai Petra" (Sun and Stone) (July) is a festival held in "Akontisma" of Nea Karvali. The event is of folkloric character, with the participation of traditional dancing groups from all over the world.
Wood Water Wild Festival[27] is an outdoor activities festival, inspired by nature. It includes live bands and DJ sets, body&mind activities, a book fair, outdoor theatre, ecology, camping, and debates.
Various cultural events are held in all municipalities of Kavala during the summer months.
In 1934Mitsos Partsalidis was elected mayor of Kavala, the first communist mayor in modern Greek history. The city gained temporarily by the press, the nickname "little Moscow".
Among movies shot in the city isTopkapi (1964), partially shot in Kavala.
Fish and seafood, as well as the products of the local livestock breeding and agricultural sectors, are the prevailing elements of Kavala cuisine. In Kavala, the traditional local recipes have been also influenced by the cuisine of the refugees from Pontus and Asia Minor.
Fresh fish and seafood, especiallysardines,shrimp salad (garidosalata), mackerel "goúna" (sun-dried mackerel on the grill), kavouropilafo, mussels with rice, herring saganáki, anchovies wrapped in grape leaves, stuffed eggplants and from meat plates, lamb with spinach, are some renowned recipes in Kavala and the coastal settlements of the region. The grapes,wine, andtsipouro produced in the area, as well as thekourabiedes (sugar-coated almond biscuits) from Nea Karvali, are particularly famous.
European route E90 runs through the city and connects Kavala with the other cities. The Egnatia Odos (A2 motorway) lies north of the city. One can enter the city from one of two junctions: Kavala West and Kavala East. Kavala has regular connection with Interregional Bus Lines (KTEL) from and to Thessaloniki and Athens.
TheKavala International Airport "Alexander the Great" (27 km (17 mi) from Kavala) is connected with Athens by regularly scheduled flights and with many European cities by scheduled and charter flights.
The city is connected with all of the large Greek cities such as Thessaloniki and Athens. All of the local villages are also connected via bus lines. The cost of tickets is very cheap. There is also a shuttle bus in Kavala with these lines:
Kavala is not currently connected to the Greek rail network. However, plans exist to build a newThessaloniki–Xanthi rail line via Kavala, as part of theEgnatia Railway corridor, at a cost of €1.25 billion.[28] In 2019,Hellenic Railways Organisation awarded the contract to build the initial 31.8 km (19.8 mi) section between Xanthi and Kavala at a cost of €250 million.[29]
Kavala F.C.: AO Kavala (Greek: Athlitikos OmilosKavala, Αθλητικός ΌμιλοςΚαβάλα), theAthletic Club Kavala, is a professional association football club based in Kavala. The club plays in the municipalKavala Stadium "Anthi Karagianni".[32]
Kavala B.C.: Enosi Kalathosfairisis Kavalas(Greek:Ένωση Καλαθοσφαίρισης Καβάλας – Basketball Union of Kavala) is a Greek professional basketball club in Kavala. The club is also known as E.K. Kavalas. The club's full Greek name is Ένωση Καλαθοσφαίρισης Καβάλας (Kavala Basketball Union or Kavala Basketball Association). The club competes in theGreek League.
Kavala '86: a women's football club, founded in 1986, with panhellenic titles in Greek women football
Kavala Chess Club:[33]Chess is very popular in Kavala and the local chess club ranks top in Greece, enjoying plenty of success both domestically and internationally. The highlight is the club's annual International Open, which takes place every August in Kavala and attracts the biggest names in chess from all over the globe.
Nautical Club of Kavala (1945, Ναυτικός Ομιλος Καβάλας, ΝΟΚ): maritime sports (swimming, yachting, water polo)
Kavala Table Tennis Club (ΑΣΕΑ Καβάλας):table tennis
Saint Paul church, patron saintSt John the BaptistLazarist Monastery
Neapolis was important enough in the LateRoman province ofMacedonia Prima to be asuffragan of its capitalPhilippi's Metropolitan Archbishopric into the frames of the Greek – Christian eastern church. In the 8th century A.D. refers for the first time a bishopric of Christoupolis and later, between 886 – 912, during the reign of the emperor Leo the Wise, Christoupolis is mentioned as one of the six bishoprics of the metropolis of Philippi. Only later, in 1260, Christoupolis became a metropolis itself. After the liberation of the city of Kavala by the Greek army during theBalkan Wars, the local church was re-established under the official title "Metropolis of Philippi, Neapolis and Thasos" till nowadays. Metropolis of Kavala established a conference center dedicated to Saint Paul, in the village of Lydia, near the spot where, according to tradition, Paul baptized saint Lydia, in the river Zygaktis. In the same spot, Metropolis established a unique open-air baptistery as well as a unique octagonal baptistery, with mosaic and stained glass decoration, the only such temple in Greece.
The diocese of Christopolis was nominally restored in 1933 as a Latin Catholictitular bishopric. There is also a Catholic church in the city ("Saint Paul", in the building of the old Lazarist monastery).
It is vacant, having had the following, far from consecutive, incumbents of the lowest (episcopal) rank,except the latest (archiepiscopal, intermediary rank):
Jean Isembert,Dominican Order (O.P.) (1450.05.11 – 1465.09.08)
Jaime Perez de Valencia,Augustinian Order (O.E.S.A.) (1468.10.01 – 1490.08.03)
Austrian Levant stamp with blue Cavalla cancellation[34]
Austria opened a post office in Kavala before 1864.[35] Between 1893 and 1903, the French post office in the city issued its own postage stamps; at first stamps of Franceoverprinted with "Cavalle" and a value inpiasters, then in 1902 the French designs inscribed "CAVALLE".
^Kiel, Machiel (1971). "Observations on the History of Northern Greece during the Turkish Rule: Historical and Architectural Description of the Turkish Monuments of Komotini and Serres, their place in the Development of Ottoman Turkish Architecture and their Present Condition".Balkan Studies.12: 416., Michalis Lychounas, The Medieval Aqueduct of Kavala, Ministry of Culture – 12th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities, Greece, Greek text with an English summary, Kavala, 2008, pp. 49–62
^Roudometof Nikolaos (ed.),Notebooks of Bulgarian Occupation. Eastern Macedonia 1916–1918. v. 1, Kavala – Chrisoupoli – Eleutheroupoli, Kavala: Historical & Literary Archive of Kavala (in Greek), pp. 15–43, 132–133. See also Spyridon Sfetas,Aspects of Bulgarian Occupation in Eastern Macedonia, 1916–1918, Epikendro Publications, Thessaloniki, 2020, (in Greek) pp. 142–159.
Koukouli-Chrisanthaki Chaido, Kavala. Αrchaeological Museum of Kavala, Kavala: D.E.T.A., 2002 (in English).
Stefanidou Emilia, The City-Port of Kavala during the Period of Turkish Rule. An Urban Survey (1391–1912), Kavala: Historical & Literary Archive of Kavala, 2007 (in Greek).
Karagiannakidis Nikos – Likourinos Kyriakos, Neapolis-Christoupolis-Kavala, Kavala: Municipality of Kavala, 2009 (in Greek).
Koutzakiotis Georges, Cavalla, une Échelle égéenne au XVIIIe siècle. Négociants européens et notables ottomans, Istanbul: The Isis Press, 2009.
Roudometof Nikolaos (ed.), Notebooks of Bulgarian Occupation. Eastern Macedonia 1916–1918. v. 1, Kavala – Chrisoupoli – Eleutheroupoli, Kavala: Historical & Literary Archive of Kavala (in Greek).
Stavridou-Zafraka Alkmene, The development of the theme organization in Macedonia, in Byzantine Macedonia: Identity, Image and History, edited by J. Burke, R. Scott, Brill, 2000, p. 128 – 138.
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