Acts 16:11
In the account of Paul's so-called second missionary journey, Neapolis features, along with Samothrace, as nothing more than a geographical way-mark separating the action at Alexandria Troas (The Macedonian Call) and Philippi (the establishment of the gospel in Europe). Paul and Silas make landfall at Neapolis and, apparently, simply move on to Philippi, approximately 16 km to the north west, over the hills behind the town.
I first visited Kavala (Neapolis) as part of study tours for Salvation Army officers. On each of those visits the itinerary has been 'fixed' and there has been little time for personal exploration.
I was able to visit again in June 2019 with the freedom to explore a little more fully. My main goal on this occasion was to track down extant sections of the via Egnatia, the road travelled by Paul and Silas after their first arrival, and possibly on many subsequent occasions travelling between Achaia and Asia Minor.
Other features of the town well worth visiting include an impressive memorial mosaic, depicting Paul's Macedonian call, and an aqueduct and castle from the Ottoman period.
Click here for a Google Earth view of Kavala (Neapolis)
Kavala, the modern name for the biblical port town of Neapolis, is a still a very active harbour.
Click here for a Google Maps Street View image.
A section of the via Egnatia, on the eastern side of the hill, is accessible from the north western corner of the town, approximately 2.5 km walk, and a vertical rise of about 75 m, from the harbour.
A Google Maps Street View image is available here.
I have not visited this spot and I am unsure whether it is possible to follow the old via Egnatia all the way over the hill to the next location, below.
On the other side of the hill the via Egnatia can be accessed through the village of Stavros. Where the old road meets the new is a small shrine, built over a spring, featuring icons of Paul and Silas.
There is no Google Maps Street View at this point.
Just up from the inner harbour, along Odos Kountourioti, outside the Church of St Nicholas, is a delightful mosaic depicting Paul's Macedonian Call.
One interpreter, noting the military depiction of the 'man of Macedonia' suggested it may represent Alexander the Great?!
A Google Maps Street View image is available here.
Further up Odos Kountourioti is the imposing aqueduct dating from the Ottoman period. Road traffic passing through the arches is a quite a sight!
Click here for a Google Maps Street View image.
Standing above the harbour is the Ottoman period Castle of Kavala. I have not yet made a visit to the castle.