Philippi (Ancient Greek Φιλιπποι, Philippoi) is a city in
eastern Macedonia, founded by Philip II in 356 BC. According to
the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Philippi is "the most
important archaeological site of eastern Macedonia." Because it
was visited by St. Paul during his missionary journeys and later
the recipient of one of Paul's letters (Philippians), Philippi
is an important site for Christians and a main stop on
pilgrimage tours of Greece. The site is extensive and there are
many structures of religious interest to see here. Philippi was
founded by the king of Macedon, Philip II, in 356 BC on the site
of the Thasian colony of Crenides (Κρηνἱδες, "the fountain"),
near the head of the Aegean Sea at the foot of Mt. Orbelos (the
modern Mt. Lekani), about 8 miles north-west of Kavalla, on the
northern border of the marsh that in Antiquity covered the
entire plain separating it from the Pangaion hills to the south.
The objective of founding the town was to take control of the
neighboring gold mines and to