According to Acts, Paul and Silas simply passed through Amphipolis, and Apollonia, on their way from Philippi to Thessalonica. (Acts 17:1) Since that is more than a day's walk, it's probable they stayed somewhere along the way. Perhaps it was here?
The first few times I traveled from Thessaloniki to Kavala we travelled on the E90, the modern highway, which passes north of Lake Volvi. Later, I came to realise that the old via Egnatia ran south of the lake and, if we could take a secondary road, it would be possible to pass through Apollonia and Amphipolis, or at least close by...
On the next visit, 2012, we travelled the number 2 highway south of the lake and found the very impressive Lion of Amphipolis, standing along the way. On subsequent tours a picnic lunch at this site has regularly been incorporated into the itinerary.
In June 2019 I was able to make a personal visit in order to have a bit more of look around. Unfortunately, the archaeological site itself was closed, but we were able to visit the very impressive museum.
Click for a Google Earth view of the location.
This monumental statue, dating from at least the early 4th Century BC. The Lion itself is over 5 metres high. The plinth adds another 10 metres to the spectacle!
Fragments of the sculpture began to be unearthed in the early 20th Century and reconstruction was completed in the 1930s.
Unfortunately, when we visited in June 2019 the site was closed due to continuing active excavation.
Will there be another chance?
We were able to visit the museum in June 2019. See exterior view in Google Maps Street view here.
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