Abdera: In the birthplace of Democritus

Historical sources, however, reveal that Abdera was founded in the 7th century BC by Ionian colonists from Asia Minor. In its early years, the settlement struggled with poor climatic conditions and diseases caused by the surrounding marshes. Yet, a century later, the city flourished economically and culturally thanks to its developing agriculture, livestock farming and fishing. Its name became closely tied to great intellectual figures such as Protagoras and Democritus.

The archaeological site takes up an area of approximately 300 hectares, where remains of the ancient city of Abdera – dating from the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods – have been unearthed.

The section of the archaeological site currently open to visitors is located near the modern port and includes the western section of the ancient city, where the so-called “House of the Dolphins” stands out, named after the mosaic floor discovered in its courtyard.