My kids playground

The Biblical City of Philippi, Greece

Image result for kavala philippi greece
Ten miles inland from the port of Kavala (20 minutes from our home in Kavala) is the Biblical City of Philippi. In the 4th century B.C., the settlement was named and founded Philippi after King Philip II of Macedon (Father of Alexander the Great). Philippi was an important outpost on the Egnatian Way.  Two important battles were fought here in 42 B.C. resulting in the defeat of Cassius and Brutus, conspirators in the assassination of Julius Caesar.  After these battles, Philippi became a Roman colony encompassing 700 square miles.  Saint Paul and Christianity arrived first on the continent of Europe in Kavala in 49-50 A.D.  Kavala was the regular landing place for those wanting to travel by the Egnatian Highway (Via Egnatia), the great Roman military highway connecting the Aegean and Adriatic Sea, across Macedonia.   

Image result for kavala philippi greeceArchaeological work has revealed a large and well-preserved forum, a theater, the alleged jail of St. Paul and several Byzantine churches, including one of the earliest churches known in Greece.  The number of churches in the city in the Byzantine period indicate Philippi's importance to Christians at this time.

The Via Egnatia was built beginning in 145 BC and at its greatest extent connected Byzantium with the Adriatic ports.  This route was Rome's primary artery to the east and Philippi was an important outpost along the road.  The Egnatian Way made it easier for Rome to move troops throughout the empire and it was the route that Paul traveled on from Neapolis (Kavala) to Philippi and other Macedonia cities of Amphipolis, Apollonia and Thessalonica.

Image result for kavala philippi greeceEven in it's current state of age, it is a grand location. As my children walk the Egnatia Highway and jump and climb over a history that encompasses thousands of years, I stretch their minds and imaginations to think of us as Ancient Greeks walking our way over beautiful mosaic floors in the Octagon room towards the massive Byzantine church.


My children absolutely love Philippi. They ask constantly to visit Philippi. They discover every inch and remember everything we tell them. This year they took to sketching their discoveries. The excitement they have for history and for understanding what Philippi was in it's grandeur days inspires me to learn more myself. When a child asks such brilliant questions it inspires me to learn; as a parent I cannot deny myself the ability to gain knowledge to be able to share. It is such a wonderful bonding experience.

This is my children's playground. It is absolutely glorious!! I pray they will always love history, respect their culture and desire to always learn.

























Happy Exploring wherever you go!!!!
Hugs Love
Val

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Recipe of the Week: Kormos from Greece

Image
Hi Everyone As a continuation from last year, this year each week I will try and make a Greek recipe here with the Greek ingredients that I can find here, that are usually a little harder to find in the states!!! This recipe however no problem finding the ingredients in the states!!! There is a restaurant we go to often called Isalos. We know the owners and they wait for my little group to arrive because my kids order big and we eat a lot!!! The speciality is fish and seafood of all sorts!! Here is a picture from last year to remind you of where I am talking about!! The Greek tradition when you eat at Greek restaurants is that the owner gifts you the dessert! Yes, no paying for dessert!!! And they usually bring you ice cold watermelon and a sweet dessert. Well at Isalos the favorite amongst my little group is the Kormos!! Literally no plates needed, you quickly just stab the nicely cut piece with a fork and just eat it off the fork! And then you fight for the few remaining p...
Read more

Riva Beach Club & Bar

Image
As our days are counting down, I am going to share with you the reason we come to this lovely place..............crystal clear blue warm waters and an atmosphere of relaxation and calm. Many people ask me about all the political and economically disruptions and difficulties in Greece, and yes all that does exist, however in our small little oasis called Kavala we are in our own little bubble of wonderfulness!!!!!!!!!!!! Riva Beach Club and Bar Here is a list of the main reasons we love this beach Crystal clear waters that are shallow Small kids play swimming pool Best wooden platforms and lounge beds in Kavala This beach is in a beach area called Ammolofoi. It is a stretch of wonderful, crystal blue water, shallow beaches about 30 minutes from Kavala. We head to this area about 4 days per week and frequent the many beach clubs in this area. For me going to the beach in Greece is called Civilized Beach going......you have bathrooms, showers, changing rooms, cafe/bar and...
Read more

Here is Niko!!

Image
Hi Everyone Niko is having a great time here. He has probably taken the longest to adjust as he is very settled in his life in San Diego with his school and classmates! But he has adjusted and is having a great time. Although he does ask a lot about his friends: what they are doing, where they are going for the summer, and if any are close by to him in Greece (Jonas in Norway is the closest and that makes him happy). Niko is a lover of the sea and the ruins of Greece. He is a sponge for anything historic and is constantly on the look out for ruins as we drive anywhere. The loves the sea, swims everywhere, snorkels and loves to eat everything that comes out of the sea. His favorite is the full size, grilled squid!!! He even asked Papou for it on his own......"remember Papou last time (2 years ago) I ate squid, but the whole thing, that is what I want".......and he got it!!! Every chance we get we eat squid!!!   Niko's favorite things in Greece Swimming Beach...
Read more