Kavala
Kavala (also seen as Kavála, Kavalla, Cavalla, and Cavalle Greek: Καβάλα), (2001 pop. 63,774), is a city in northern Greece, the principal seaport of eastern Macedonia and the capital of Kavala prefecture. It is prettily situated on the Bay of Kavala, across from the island of Thassos.
History
It was originally founded by settlers from Paros in about the 6th century BC, who called it Neapolis ("new city"). Gold mines in the Pangaion hills nearby made it prosperous. It became a Roman civitas in 168 BC, and was a base for Brutus and Cassius in 42 BC, before their defeat in the Battle of Philippi. The Apostle Paul landed at Kavala on his first voyage to Europe, and in Byzantine times the city was renamed Christoupolis.
Kavala was part of the Ottoman Empire from 1371 to 1912. Future King of Egypt, Mehmet Ali, was born here in 1769. Much of its present-day population is descended from Asia Minor refugees. Prior to the second World War, the city also boasted a large Jewish minority. Some of its most recognisable landmarks is a Venetian castle on the hill of Panagia, the "imaret" and an aquaduct built by Suleiman I during his reign. The later serves still today as a city logo.
Famous People
- Theodoros Zagorakis, the captain of the Greece National Football Team that stunned the football world by winning Euro 2004, is a native of Kavala.
- Zisis Vryzas, football player, also part of the Euro 2004 team.
- Vassilis Vassilikos, writer