Plateia Eleftherias (Square Eleftherias)

Freedom Square is the main square of Kavala. The square is shaped like a rectangle and is surrounded by Omonia streets to the north, Venizelos to the south, Doirani to the east and Ion Dragoumi to the west. 

In the 1920s the royals wanted the square to be renamed King George I Square while the Venetians wanted to rename it the Square of the Hellenic Republic. In 1924 it was named Omonia Square, as was the neighbouring Omonia Street thanks to the achievement of Omonia between the two factions. Later, in order to protect the interests of the Greeks living in Egypt, it was renamed Fuat Square, by the name of the King of Egypt Fuat I (1868-1936) who was the great-grandson of Mehmet Ali. For the same reason, the statue of Mehmet Ali was placed in the district of Panagia in 1936. In 1938 the square took the name of Stylianos Mavromihalis who was organizer of the National Center of Kavala during the years of the Macedonian struggle. However, this name did not prevail and in the following years the main square of Kavala was still referred to as Fuat Square. In 1967 the then mayor Evangelos Evangelios considered it unacceptable for the central square of Kavala to bear an Egyptian name and at the same time to keep in its center the tomb of Mehmet Ali's mother, as it was then called, demolished the monument and renamed the until then Fuat Square to Freedom Square, apparently because the place was relieved of its Turkish and Egyptian character. , while at the same time carrying out a radical redevelopment of the site. The name "Central Square" also prevails.

The first few years  

The square was the place of the caravancera of the region during the Turkish occupation. The square also contained smaller hania, small shops and houses, the hotel "Kavala", Muslim cemeteries and the supposed tomb of Mehmet Ali's mother. 

After the Asia Minor disaster and the exchange of populations, there was a large influx of refugees into Kavala. In the area of the square were set up side-by-side areas which were used as a place of residence and not only.  

At the end of the 19th century the site of today's square circled an almost half-crushed wall with two very large entrances. Inside this space was George's hani. The square also contained smaller hania, small shops and houses, the hotel "Kavala", Muslim cemeteries and the supposed tomb of Mehmet Ali's mother. There was also a dry stream in the area, on Doirani Street.

 20th Century  

In 1928 the municipality of Kavala decided to call a tender for the conversion of the square into a municipal market. Later it was decided to convert the area into a square, while in 1936 an attempt was made to landscap the area causing reactions. In 1947 Mayor Michael Lolidis tried to modify the square. Thus the square was watered for the first time and the first tap was installed, while the first taxis of the city began to use parts of the square for parking.  

On December 13, 1967, during the counter-coup, King Constantine descended on Kavala, relying on the assistance of units in Northern Greece. He went down by helicopter to the square, where there was a people's gathering and spent the night at the hotel "Astir" where the National Bank is now housed. 

today  

The square acquired its final form when in 1998. The square is favourable for pre-election rallies, while a monument to the Macedonian convoy is nearby. During the Christmas period, events take place and houses and other special facilities are set up.

Wheelchair access is possible (i.e. there are no stairs, narrow openings below 90cm wide, etc.).

The sidewalks are free of obstacles and steps (stairs, etc.).

The surface material is made of cobblestones.

At all existing crossings there are ramps for wheelchair access.

The ramps are free of items blocking wheelchair access, such as bars or columns.

There is no tactile guide for the blind.

Caution: There are no protective means on the sidewalks by the end towards the road (e.g., columns, railings, flower beds or other.

Caution: There are some trees with branches hanging lower than 2.20m above the ground.

All trees on the sidewalks have protective grates.

None of the traffic lights have sound signaling.

There are no traffic lights with visual countdown alert.

Caution: Some signs, traffic lights and/or other elements placed on road poles are at hights lower than 2.20m above the ground.

Signs, traffic lights and other kinds of pole-hanging elements are placed one plate per pole.

Caution: Around baskets or garbage bins there is no the necessary net width of 90cm for pedestrian crossing.

Public phones, mailboxes, etc. are accessible and at an appropriate height for wheelchair users (i.e. without blocking stairs/step, with controls placed at 90cm above the ground, etc.).

Around the benches that exist, there is always additional space for wheelchair users.

There is street lighting at night, and it is considered sufficient.

The street offers access to:

1 public WC.