KALAMBAKA

Kalambaka is a small town located in the heart of Greece, in the northwestern part of the Thessaly plain. It is the capital of the district of Kalambaka, which is part of the prefecture of Trikala. Next to the city flows the Pineos River, the second largest and the first of its kind in the history of Greece.
Its official population, according to the last census of 2011, is approximately 8,500. Despite its small population, the town receives every year more than 2 million tourists, who come to visit the unique geological and cultural site of world importance, the rocks of Meteora and its monasteries.

The town has been known since ancient times under the name of Aeginio. It was first mentioned back in the II century BC. Then the town was conquered and destroyed by the Romans. In the XI century Kalambaka gets a new name - Stagi and becomes the centre of the diocese of the same name. The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (10th - 11th centuries) with its carved iconostasis and well preserved beautiful frescos reminds us of this period in the complex and interesting history of the town.

The town received its present name during the Turkish rule. "Kalambaka" means "strong fortress" in Turkish. During this period it became

an important trading centre for Greece. It remained under Turkish rule until 1881.

Kalambaka, though not a large town, has an excellent tourist infrastructure with many comfortable hotels and shops. There are historical and architectural monuments of their own.

On the outskirts of Kalambaka, on the road to Meteora, is the City Museum. Its exposition presents the life of the town. On the first floor of the museum one can see photographs dedicated to the same subject.

There are several beautiful small squares in the town with fountains. It is a favourite resting place of the locals. Kalambaka attracts travelers with its coziness and warmth, unique flavor and exceptional Greek cuisine.

Near the town, near the village of Kastraki, one can find the two peaks of Agion Pneuma and Dupiani. On their summits, from where there is a beautiful view over the whole plain, there are the remains of ancient monasteries. The caves hidden in the cliffs were once home to monks and in one of them, at 630m altitude, they even built a church, Agia Apostoli.