NTINAS Hotel στα Τρίκαλα

The Perfecture of Trikala has a rich natural, historical and cultural landscape for the visitor who wants to explore the area and experience its features.

The landscape’s alternations, the virgin woods, the big variety in fauna and flora, the important and rare biotopes, the rivers and their branches, the unique geological phenomenon of Meteora and the important caves compose the natural magnificence of the prefecture. The rich and age-long history is documented by the findings of prehistoric, historic and recent years.

The monasteries, the country churches, the stone arched bridges, the stone country seats, the traditions, the fairs and the traditional products constitute the cultural greatness of the prefecture.

1.Trikala

The modern city of Trikala is located in the place of ancient Trikki, which is known from Homer’s days. Trikki was the name of an ancient nymph, daughter of Pinios river, who gave her name and her three characteristics to the beautiful city of Trikala: beauty,youth,health .

Some people attribute the name both of the nymph and the city to the adjective Trikali that was given to Artemis, a local goddess, and it means: three times good –fabulous. It is speculated that Asklipios, the god of medicine was born in Trikki.

Relics from the past adorn the city and bear witness to its long course during the centuries:

The medieval fortress that dominates at the north of the city has suffered many catastrophes.It was renovated by the Emperor Ioustiniano in the 6th century AD. It was repaired by the Turks between 1854 and 1878, after the Thessalian revolutions. On the second cornice there is the open air theatre where plays and concerts are held.

The Osman Sack’s Mosch ( Coursoum ) one of the best temples in Greece, was built in the middle of the 16th century. It was recently renovated and it is in a very good condition. Today it is used as a cultural center.

Varousi, the traditional district of Trikala city, is located under the Fortress and connects yesterday with today, the past with the present and the future. Etymologically, the word "Varousi" means the area outside the castle. During the Ottoman domination, Varousi was a Christian district and till the decade of 1930 it was the most aristocratic neighbourhood in Trikala and the area with the most churches, which were built between the 12th and 17th century AD.

Near Varousi there is the traditional Manavika area, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Trikala. Today there are several traditional taverns there.

Asklipiio Trikkis the most ancient and illustrious sanctuary of Asklipios was in Trikki (according to Stravonas) in which patients from all over Greece went for treatment. Asklipios, the famous doctor of antiquity, was gathering herbs from the foothill of mountain Koziakas preparing effective medicines for many illnesses.

Flourmill «Matsopoulos» South-westerly of the city, on the way to Pili, right after the railway line, there is the complex of Flourmill «Matsopoulos». It was constructed in 1884 and was donated to the Municipality of Trikala in 1977. Its function as flourmill stopped in 1984. Today it is a cultural and entertaining center.

In the flow of history, of people’s every day life, of changes and invasions, flows exhaustlessly from prehistoric years the picturesque river branch of Pinios, Litheos, the river of Lethe. Source of living and development with its green banks, it crosses the town. Many bridges connect the two banks with most important the central bridge which was made of metal from French engineers in 1886.

Trikala city is the most convenient place for all the getaways to the surrounding beautiful areas.

Kalampaka-Meteora
Trikala-Kalampaka 22 Km
Trikala-Meteora 25 Km

At the 3rd Km of Trikala-Kalampaka there is the cave of Theopetra where remnants of the Middle Paleolithic Age have been found, which are the oldest of the human presence in Thessaly (14000 BC).

Kalampaka is built on the foot of Meteora rocks. It is a city with rich history and touristic action. One Km from Kalampaka we meet the preserved village kastraki with old and interesting temples. Kalampaka and Kastraki are some of the most well-known centres of Byzantine Hagiography. Looking up to Meteora rocks the visitor gets ecstatic from the uncanny strength and beauty that they see. The rocks with the monasteries perched on them like eagle nests, living proof of our spiritual and cultural heritage, make Meteora a unique phenomenon and a spiritual centre of worldwide importance protected by Unesco.

The monasteries were built during the Serbian occupation in the 14th century. Today, 6 out of 24 monasteries operate fully. Important relics and manuscripts are kept in some of them.

In the past the monasteries were unapproachable. The transportation of people and goods was carried out with rope-ladders or nets that nowadays have been replaced with staircases and roads. Antixasia-Meteora area is an important predatory biotope and belongs to Natura Net.

Pili
Trikala-Pili 18 Km

Pili is built between the mountains Itamo and Koziaka and it is crossed by Portaikos river. The arched stone bridge, which was built in 1514, is the town symbol. Everyone should visit the temple of Porta Panagia (1283) with the unique mosaics. At short distance there are the holly monasteries Dousikou and Gouras.

Elati-Pertouli
Trikala-Elati 34km
Trikala-Pertouli 48 Km

Continuing the route from Pili, through a green landscape, we reach picturesque Elati or Tirna. At 1200 m altitude we meet the vast meadows of Pertouli which are surrounded by a fir-tree forest, one of the biggest in Greece. At 1300 m altitude there is the ski-center of Pertouli. In the area villages the houses are built of stone and are in full harmony with nature. The visitor who loves nature and outdoors activities can go hiking in the marked footpaths, horse-riding, climbing, mountain cycling and archery, besides skiing.

Every year in Pertouli, the gathering of the Sarakatsanaion takes place at the last weekend of May.

Trikala - Aspropotamos Valley 70 Km

Aspropotamos valley is in the central Pindos and it is surrounded by the very high tops of the mountains Peristeri and Trigia. It is one of the most beautiful mountain valleys lost in virgin forests of fir-trees and beech-trees. In the area there are the sources of Acheloos river which is one of the biggest rivers in Greece. The area is a protected one and belongs to Natura Net. The stone, arched bridges, the monasteries, the churches and the stone country seats characterize the area.

The traditional fairs present cultural interest.

Aspropotamos offers the possibility for water sports. At three rivers location there is a centre for canoe, kayak and rafting.

Trikala-Karditsa 26 km
Karditsa - Plastira Lake 25 km

Plastira Lake, a coveted touristic destination for all seasons, is located about 25 km west of Karditsa city, at 800m altitude. The lake was created at the end of 1950 by Nikolao Plastira. The creation of the dam (83m high, 200m length), interrupted the flow of the waters of Tavropos river or Megdova, transforming the Nevropolis upland into a very beautiful lake.

The tour around Plastira Lake covers a distance of about 55 km. It offers an enjoyable experience and a unique pleasure. The visitor has the possibility to enjoy the incomparable natural beauty, go fishing, climbing, cycling, do archery or water sport, visit the monasteries, get to know the authentic hospitality of the villagers, taste the rich food and the tasty local wines.

With Karditsa city as starting point, visitors can choose one of the three routes:

1. Karditsa-Mitropoli-Moshato-Plastira Lake –East route by the lake
Although this part of the Lake does not lack in natural beauties, it has less touristic development comparing to the west part.
2.Karditsa-Kastania –Dam
3. Karditsa-Morfovouni- Plastira Lake- Dam- West route by the lake
This part of the Lake presents a high touristic development.

We can return to Trikala via Mouzaki too.