Philippi, located in eastern Macedonia, is a city very rich from the point of view of history and architecture. This city was founded in the year 356 BC by the king of Macedon Philip II and conquered by the Ottoman Empire during the 14th century, and many of its streets and antique buildings are a lively memory of the different historical moments Philippi has gone through.
The city of Philippi is located on the foot of Mount Orbelos or Mount Lekani and close to the area where the Eagean Sea begins. This way, this city is located in a beautiful area and allows visitors to enjoy green landscapes as well as some amazing sea related views.
Philippi was originally built with the strategic purpose of controlling some mines of gold situated nearby as well as controlling the route that connected Neapolis with Amphipolis. After founding the city, Philip II built important fortifications, also constructed with strategic purposes such as blocking the communication with Mount Orbelos.
It is also interesting to mention that King Philip II also drained the local swamp as a next step in his goal of controlling the region. For an important period of time, the city of Philippi was an autonomous spot within Macedon, counting with its own policies and institutions.
During the kingdom of Philip V, Philippi became part of Macedon and was integrated to the political institutions and rules of the region. Around the year 167 BC, when the Romans got control over the region, unexpectedly Amphipolis became the capital city of the eastern region of Macedon, and during that époque Philippi lost some of its importance.
There are many interesting antique constructions and buildings tourists can meet while visiting this city. Some of these constructions date from many centuries ago, and all those visitors who are fond of history and architecture should not miss them. Besides this, it is also important to know that this area is been very important for anthropologists and several archeological discoveries, of great value not only for this city but the entire country, were brought to light during excavations in the last decades.