Philippi: the forum and Paul's prison

In the Bible

Paul and Silas were dragged to the marketplace, beaten and jailed; at midnight, as they sang hymns, an earthquake opened the prison doors. Paul later wrote to the saints here.

Acts 16:19–26When the girl’s owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace. They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.” The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered that they be stripped and beaten with rods. And after striking them with many blows, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely. On receiving this order, he placed them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose.

Phil 1:1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

Tradition

Since early Christian times a small Roman crypt beside the forum has been shown as Paul's prison; it was probably a cistern. An early church here was dedicated to Paul in the 4th century.

Here today

Excavations along the Via Egnatia: the 2nd-century forum, the theater, the Octagon church and great basilicas; a World Heritage site.

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Land outlines: Natural Earth (public domain).