Kavala, Port city in Eastern Macedonia, Greece
Kavala is a port city in Eastern Macedonia, Greece, built on terraced slopes that rise from the Aegean Sea to a hilltop fortress. Narrow lanes wind between white houses with red tile roofs, while the modern harbor stretches along the base of the old town.
Greek settlers founded Neapolis here in the 7th century BC as a trading station for goods from the eastern Mediterranean. The Byzantine and later Ottoman empires strengthened its fortifications, which still stand above the waterfront today.
The city takes its name from a Turkish word meaning horse or cavalry, reflecting centuries of Ottoman rule. Fishermen in the old Panagia quarter still repair their nets by hand near waterfront cafés where locals gather for coffee and conversation each morning.
The old town requires climbing steep stairs and narrow lanes, so comfortable shoes help when exploring on foot. The harbor and downtown areas remain flatter and easier for wheelchair users to navigate.
The 16th-century Kamares aqueduct stretches 280 meters (920 feet) and once carried fresh water to the city from mountain springs to the north. Its two tiers of arches now frame sidewalk cafés and small squares where locals stroll beneath the historic structure.
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