Trikala
Trikala is a city in Thessaly in Greece, noted for its traditional architecture, churches and museums, and a good base for visiting the monasteries of Meteora.
The city of Trikala in Thessaly, Greece, is not on most tourists’ radar, though they pass very close to it when they go to visit the stunning monasteries of Meteora, a mere half-hour’s drive away. Many visitors stay in Kalambaka, to be closer to the monasteries, but you should also consider Trikala as a base.
Trikala is an attractive and lively place with a lot going for it. A river runs through it, which adds to the appeal of any city, and it has a lovely Old Town, with many traditional buildings. There’s a Byzantine Castle with great views, an enjoyable cultural centre, and lots to see within a short drive.
Things to See in Trikala
Ancient Trikki
You can see the foundations of the original city at this small archaeological site next to the Cathedral of St Nicholas. At the moment you have to make an appointment to visit, though to be honest, there’s not a lot to see. Archaeologists have found some mosaics, a Roman bath, a Byzantine temple, and the remains of a few buildings. The site is also known as the Asclepieion after the Greek God of Medicine, Asclepius, who was believed to be from Trikala.
Byzantine Castle
Originally built in the 6th century AD, it was rebuilt by the Ottomans in the 17th century, and they added the first huge clock tower. Another clock tower was added in 1936, and this became the symbol of Trikala. It’s worth the climb for the views over the city towards the mountains. There’s also a very nice cafe at the top, besides a little park.
Central Bridge
With the Lithaios River running through the city, Trikala naturally has several bridges but this metal bridge is one of the most attractive. It was built in 1886 and until 1996 was used by traffic but these days it is for foot traffic only. The base of the bridge has some glass sections so you can see the river beneath your feet.
Fanari Castle
Fanari Castle is a half-hour drive south of Trikala, near the village of Fanari. It’s a bit off-the-beaten-track and takes a bit of finding, but you’ll be rewarded with excellent views over the plains of Thessaly. The 14th-century fortress is very well-preserved, with its solid walls and towers. You can visit any time as it’s open access.
Matsopoulos Mill
This imposing 1884 flour mill, which was in operation until the 1980s, is also known as the Mill of the Elves. That’s because each Christmas it’s transformed into a colourful grotto of lights which brings children (and their parents) in from all the nearby towns and villages. The rest of the time it acts as a cultural centre, with a cinema and theatre, and has a local history museum. It’s also used for events, including the city’s Comedy Festival.
Old Town
To see some of the old buildings that Trikala is noted for, head to the Varousi and Manavika districts. This is now largely a conservation area with buildings going back to the 17th century, and churches even older. You’ll find the Old Town if you walk north-west from the main city square for a few minutes. It’s a delightful place to wander round.
Osman Shah Mosque
This 16th century mosque is also known as the Kursum Mosque from its Turkish name, meaning ‘Leaden Mosque’. At one time there were several mosques in Trikala but this is the only one to remain. You’ll find it on Karditsis Street, next to the Orthodox church. On the other side of the church are the remains of twin Ottoman baths, also dating from the 16th century.
Pyli
The village of Pyli is a 20-minute drive south-west of Trikala and is famous for its ancient and graceful stone bridge, which was built in 1514 and arches over the Portaikos River. With waterfalls on either side of the bridge it is a spectacular sight.
It’s a couple of kilometers west of the village of Pyli in the village of Kato Paleokarya and, remarkably, until 1936 the Paleokarya Bridge was the only connection between Thessaly and Epirus.
If you visit Pyli then don’t miss the 13th-century church of Porta-Panagia in the neighbouring village of Porta. It’s about a 20-minute walk from the centre of Pyli, on the far side of the river.
Tsitsani Museum
This is a museum for lovers of Greek music as it celebrates the work of musician and composer Vassilis Tsitsanis. It’s obviously a specialist collection but also of interest is the building it’s housed in at Karditsis 1, as this is still known as the old prison, though it was also used as a bath house after the prison closed. mouseiotsitsani.gr
When to Visit Trikala
You can visit Trikala all year round, though spring and autumn are ideal times. From about June to August temperatures can get very hot, up into the 30s (90s F). Winters can see temperatures dropping below freezing at night, and there is occasional snowfall, but it’s not common. Even in summer you can get the odd rainy day, but most months there are just a few rainy days. Our tip is to visit in April/May or September/October, if you have a choice.
Visiting Meteora from Trikala
Visiting Meteora from Trikala is easy. Take the E92 road that leaves the city heading north-west towards Kalambaka, the nearest town to Meteora. As you approach Kalambaka, look for a right turn and a blue sign marked Meteora (Μετέωρα in Greek). It’s only a 30-minute drive from Trikala.
Theopetra Cave
On the way to Meteora from Trikala you will pass a turning on the right to Theopetra. If you have time it’s worth making the diversion to visit the Theopetra Cave, and there’s also a museum in the village of Theopetra. You can park here and walk to visit the cave. Carbon dating has shown that people lived in the cave about 50,000 years ago.
History of Trikala
Trikala is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, with roots stretching back nearly 100,000 years.
Archaeological evidence from the Theopetra Cave near Trikala shows human presence dating to the Middle Paleolithic era, around 100,000 years ago. Later, Neolithic settlements appeared around 6000 BC, marking the area as a cradle of early civilization.
The ancient city of Trikka (or Triki) was founded around the 3rd millennium BC and named after the nymph Trikki, daughter of the river god Pinios. Trikka gained prominence in antiquity as the birthplace of Asclepius, the legendary physician and god of medicine, making it a major healing center with one of the earliest sanctuaries dedicated to him.
Throughout history, Trikala was strategically important due to its location in Thessaly. It flourished under classical Greece, later came under Roman and Byzantine rule, and during the Ottoman period, it became an administrative hub with landmarks like the Osman Shah Mosque.
In modern times, Trikala developed into a vibrant city, blending its rich heritage with contemporary urban planning. Today, it is known for its riverside charm, historic neighborhoods like Varousi, and its reputation as a forward-looking, smart city.
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