KARDITSA - The city of biking With the majestic Agrafa mountains at its "back" and the plain stretching at its feet, Karditsa is truly a "city to live in." Its completely flat terrain encourages an eco-friendly, bicycle-friendly way of getting around, while its squares and pedestrian streets are perfect for endless strolls. Your strolls around the city can begin at its significant "green lung," the large park with the beautiful name "Pausilipo". At the café of the same name, you can enjoy moments of relaxation while children play at the adjacent playground or marvel at the peacocks roaming freely. If you happen to see a male peacock spreading its feathers, grab your camera—it’s the most stunning fan you’ll ever see! Beyond being a recreational area, the park also serves as a cultural hub, hosting numerous events throughout the year.In the square next to Pausilipo, you’ll admire the sculpture "My Mother" by the renowned artist Christos Kapralos, a gift from the Hellenic Parliament to the Municipality of Karditsa. On the other side of the square stands the statue of the "Black Horseman," Nikolaos Plastiras. On the park's western side, you’ll find the Metropolitan Church of Saints Constantine and Helen. Image The City CenterFrom Pausilipo, following the city’s main and most "lively" pedestrian street, Dimitriou Tertipi Street, you’ll arrive at the Central Square, dominated by the building of "Pallas," which now houses a branch of Alpha Bank. Built in the late interwar period, this building was, for decades, the city’s most important venue for entertainment, featuring cinema and theater halls, a café, and a luxurious bar-restaurant. The square also features a unique fountain, created in 2004–2005 by internationally acclaimed landscape sculptor Nella Golanda from Larissa. This three-dimensional "compass" depicts, among other things, the most prominent constellations visible from Thessaly. Close to the square, on Karaiskaki Street, you’ll find one of the city’s most beautiful buildings, the "Arni" Hotel.About 100 meters south of the square lies the city’s most impressive building, the Municipal Market, constructed in the late 1920s and declared a European Architectural Heritage Monument in 1992. Around the Market, you’ll find several old shops that exude a charming "retro" vibe. Image Cultural SpacesNearby, you’ll find the Archaeological Museum of Karditsa, inaugurated in 2012. This modern and well-curated museum showcases the significant yet lesser-known archaeological treasures of the Karditsa Regional Unit. Another important cultural hub is the Municipal Art Gallery, which houses a permanent collection featuring works by notable artists from Karditsa, including the acclaimed Dimitris Gioldasis. The gallery also frequently hosts temporary exhibitions with retrospective, group, or thematic focuses.Just 3 kilometers from the city lies the forest of Paparantza, or "Chilia Dendra" (Thousand Trees). With its massive, centuries-old trees, it is an enchanting and beautiful recreational spot year-round.
