The Thracian coast of the Aegean sea about 17 km from the mouth of the river Nestos (almost opposite Thasos) near the modern town Avdira lie the ruins of the ancient Greek city of the Prefecture. According to legend, Abdera was founded by the legendary Hercules in memory of his friend Abdera.

It is believed that the first settlement appeared here in the middle of the 7th century and its first inhabitants were immigrants from Klazomenai. In the middle of the 6th century in the Abdera moved, fleeing from the Persians, and the inhabitants of the ancient Ionian city of TEOS, among whom was the famous Greek lyric poet Anacreon. Largely due to its favourable strategic position and well-established trade with the Thracians, the city developed and flourished and had its own coinage.

In the 5th century BC, Abdera was a member of the Athenian sea Union (known as the Delian League), which played an important role and had great influence. At the beginning of the 4th century, being "independent" city-state, Abdera suffered greatly from the invasion of the Thracians and gradually lost its influence, and after the conquest by Philip II of Macedonia lost its independence. The city continued to exist also in Roman and Byzantine times. Ancient Abdera was the birthplace of the famous Greek philosophers like Democritus, Protagoras and Anexar, and historian and philosopher of Hecate Underscore.

Today the ruins of the Prefecture – one of the most important archaeological sites of Greece and a popular tourist attraction (especially among lovers of archeology). Deserves special attention and located in Avdira Archaeological Museum of the Prefecture. Unique artifacts presented in the Museum date back to the 7th century BC – 13th century BC and perfectly illustrate the history and culture of this ancient city.