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.

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The City Center

From 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.

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Cultural Spaces

Nearby, 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.

The two historic settlements have, understandably, taken a back seat, leaving the leading role to the spectacle of Meteora. Nevertheless, they have a rich history and deserve the visitor's attention. Traditionally, their economy was based on agriculture and livestock farming, but with the advent of mass tourism, most residents turned to the hospitality and catering sector, a fact that had an impact on their residential image. In Kalambaka, Sopoto and Kastraki, in Mesochori, picturesque "corners" that remind us of the past are preserved.

The area has been inhabited since the Neolithic times, as evidenced by the findings in the nearby Cave of Theopetra, which, by the way, is expected to reopen its "gates" to the public in the coming months.

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From Aeginio to Kalambaka

In Roman times, there was a city in the area called Aeginio, which is mentioned by Strabo, who, paradoxically, makes no mention of the impressive geological phenomenon of Meteora. During the Byzantine years, present-day Kalambaka was called Stagoi, with the following most likely etymological explanations: a) 's tois agious-stagious-stagous- The Stagoi, b) from "stagos", i.e. wheat carrier, c) from the Slavic word "stagia", which means chambers or cavities of rocks. There are two versions for the modern name. The first is that it comes from the Byzantine family Kalabaka, the second is that it comes from the Turkish "kale-bak", which means "prominent, strong fortress".

The most important attraction of the city is the three-aisled Basilica of the Dormition (10th-11th century), with the impressive "central" marble pulpit. It is located under the imposing, vertical rock of Agia. A visit to the Museum of Natural History and Mushrooms is a must, on the two floors of which you will see incredibly realistic representations of mammals and birds as well as all the mushrooms of the area. The Museum is also "responsible" for the Pan-Hellenic Truffle Festival, which has been organized with great success in Kalambaka for the last two years. Of particular interest is also the School of Wood Carving, the only vocational school of its kind in Greece, which has been operating since 1949.

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In a Stone Embrace

Kastraki is the "par excellence" settlement of Meteora and seems to have nestled in the embrace of stone towers. Regarding the name of the village, it seems that during the Byzantine years there was a real castle here, but it could also come from the natural castle that the rocks form around it. Its first inhabitants must have been Epirotes, from Northern Epirus, who initially founded the settlements Rouxiori, Agia Paraskevi, Righilavo and Triskiano, which were united in the early 18th century, forming today's village.

Kastraki is offered as a base for hiking among the rocks of Meteora. If you are here on the feast of Saint George, do not miss watching the "replacement" of the handkerchiefs at Agios Georgios Mandilas, a small monastery of the 14th century, which is perfectly "integrated" into a rock of Meteora.

If you want to enjoy the most impressive, "aerial" view of Kalambaka, Kastraki and Meteora, look for the road to the resort settlement Koromilia, which from a height of 1150 meters offers a unique panorama!

What if, through the passage of centuries, the ancient "god-river" has fallen from its "rank"? Here, at the western edge of Thessaly, it still holds the overall command, giving life to the nature that surrounds it. In the wild, untamed, and pristine Southern Pindos, nature is the absolute protagonist. The Aspropotamos Forest Complex covers 300,000 acres, one of the most beautiful in Greece, consisting of eight forests of fir, beech, pine, and oak (Krania, Doliana, Polythea, Kallirroi, Stefani, Katafyto, Anthousa, and Chalki). The area's flora is complemented by willows, cornels, plane trees, walnut trees, wild cherry trees, and cornelian cherries. You will also find shrubs (cedars), while notable herbs include tea, salep, nettle, oregano, and more. The region is also very rich in both variety and quantity of mushrooms.

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Such an environment forms the kingdom of wildlife. Brown bears, wolves, and roe deer feel "at home." Birdwatching enthusiasts will search for and find kestrels, golden eagles, owls, blue rock thrushes, and green woodpeckers. From the heights to the lowlands, the herpetofauna includes salamanders, toads, Mediterranean tortoises, alpine newts, lizards, as well as water snakes, vipers, and tree frogs. In the river waters "swim" the endemic Ionian trout, eels, Peloponnesian barbs, and liara fish. Every plant, every tree, every bird, every reptile, and every animal plays its own role in preserving the ecosystem, which is included in the European network of protected areas NATURA 2000.

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The landscape of Aspropotamos

The landscape of Aspropotamos is captivating: dense forests, alpine meadows, stone bridges, "forgotten" monasteries, and rivers with crystal-clear waters create an almost "Austro-Swiss" image. It is a landscape that resists the wear of time and human intervention — an ideal area for hiking, mountain biking, climbing, and wildlife exploration, with numerous marked trails offering peaceful and enchanting routes. One of the best seasons to enjoy Aspropotamos’ landscapes is autumn when the warm colors of beech and oak mix with the dark green of fir trees in the mixed forests.

Towering peaks rise in all four directions. Notable among them are Kakarditsa (2,429 m), the highest mountain in Southern Pindos and all of Western Thessaly, Lakmos or Peristeri (highest peak Tsoukarela - 2,295 m) and Neraida or Kap Gras (1,930 m). Between them flow the tributaries and the Aspros river itself, especially in spring, rushing wildly with its surface foaming and "whitening."

Just below the peaks of Lakmos lies one of the most fascinating and unique landscapes in Greece — the springs of Achelous with their beautiful meanders, the legendary Verliga. In ancient times, these springs were considered sacred and guarded by minor deities.

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Avoiding misunderstandings

First of all: Aspropotamos and Achelous are the same river, the second largest in Greece, with a length reaching 220 km. As it flows beside the slopes of Pindos, it is called Aspropotamos; when it reaches the plains, it is called Achelous.

Second: The Aspropotamos area is considered the entire region between Kakarditsa and Lakmos in the west and Koziakas in the east. Any village located near or beside Aspropotamos or its tributaries is considered an "Aspropotamos village." That is, from Pertouli in the east to Chalki in the west, and from Stefani in the north to Mesochora in the south — anything within this "quadrilateral" is considered an "Aspropotamos village."

This perception has begun to change in recent years, especially after the "Kapodistrias Plan," which included the Expanded Community of Aspropotamos, operating from 1999 to 2010 and including the villages Anthousa, Chalki, Krania, Katafyto, Milia, Agia Paraskevi, Kallirroi, Polythea, and Stefani. If you add two more villages that were part of the Aithikes Municipality during Kapodistrias — Gardiki and Athamania — you get the villages that today form the "hard core" of the Aspropotamos villages. Confusion increases when considering that today, under the "Kallikratis Plan," the first nine villages belong to the Meteora Municipality, while the other two belong to the Pyli Municipality.

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According to this "new" perception, the "border" is considered the Alekos Bridge, where the eponymous "beach" is also located, beloved by those who prefer summer swimming in a river. Access to the area can be made from two sides. From the north, from the Kalambaka side, through a beautiful passage known in Vlach as Kiátra Broásta ("Straight Stone"), which unfortunately was destroyed by the storm Daniel. Restoration work has begun, and a dirt road covered with gravel has been opened, allowing access again with a conventional vehicle (with some care).

The second and more popular access is from the south, from the Pyli side, passing through the more developed tourist villages of the mountainous Trikala region — Elati, Pertouli, and Neraidochori.

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Gini vinis, oaspe!

No matter how beautiful a place is, a visit that does not include getting to know its people and their works is incomplete. Aspropotamos is 100% "Vlach territory" this proud, mountain-dwelling, semi-nomadic ethnic group that has ruled the passes of Pindos and beyond since ancient times. They await you in their beautiful villages — a few thousand of them in summer, far fewer in winter — to warmly welcome you with a "Gini vinis, oaspe," meaning "welcome, friend" in their Romance language. You might get confused about exactly where you are when you hear them speak about their villages by their old names (Krania – Kornou, Agia Paraskevi – Tzourtzia, Anthousa – Lipinitsa, Athamania – Moutsiara, Kallirroi – Velitsiani, Katafyto – Kotori, Polythea – Dragovisti, Stefani – Skliniasa), but don’t worry! Wherever you are, you are in good hands!

The traditional occupations of the inhabitants, mainly livestock farming and logging, and the harsh weather conditions in winter, imposed a nomadic way of life. In autumn, they took the "Vlachostrates" ("Vlach roads") to descend from the slopes of Pindos to the plains and in spring they did the reverse journey. Accustomed to frequent movements, many became "kyratzides" (carriers). In winter, the villages were deserted, and only a few guards stayed behind to look after the properties — a "custom" maintained until a few decades ago.

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This nomadic mindset persists today, even when there are no professional reasons. In winter, residents are few, but in summer, the villages overflow with people. The largest ones (Krania, Gardiki, Agia Paraskevi, Chalki) count a few thousand summer visitors. The Vlachs love their villages as much as their unique traditions, which they honor at every opportunity and in every aspect. A very special place in their hearts is held by their local music, with the accordion often being a distinctive element compared to other folk music of Pindos.

An architectural masterpiece

The truth is that the villages of Aspropotamos — except for Anthousa and Chalki, where stone dominates — although surrounded by landscapes of unimaginable beauty, do not equally stand out for their architectural character. The reason is that they were destroyed by the German occupiers during the operation "Panther" (October 18 – November 7, 1943), which leveled the villages of Aspropotamos (and other mountainous areas of Northern and Western Greece) under the "justification" that the inhabitants cooperated with and sheltered ELAS partisans.

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Despite this, the existence of a single building, the image of one of the most beautiful churches in Greece, is enough to compensate for this architectural "deficit." This is the Church of the Holy Cross (also known as "Doliana Monastery"), which impresses with its 13 domes and is rightly called "the Parthenon of Aspropotamos." Take your time and enjoy this monument of rare architectural value. After all, time flows more slowly in Aspropotamos, and every moment gains meaning. Because it is not a tourist destination in the traditional sense. It is a refuge for those seeking authenticity, tranquility, and connection with nature and tradition.

In Byzantine times, the settlement was located on the northern bank of the Portaikos (or "Portiatis") river, where today we find the neighborhood and the magnificent Porta Panagia church. Back then, it was called Megalai Pylai (Great Gates), a name that during the Ottoman period gave way to "Porta Pazar." The modern settlement “moved across” to a naturally cooler and shadier area.

Religious Monuments

Today’s small town has the charming, laid-back atmosphere of the Greek countryside, and it’s worth strolling through its narrow streets. But the most impressive attraction lies in the old “territory,” which you can access by crossing a pedestrian bridge 120 meters long and 2 meters wide. You can also reach it by car via another nearby bridge. There, where Megalai Pylai once stood, you’ll encounter a Byzantine masterpiece: the church of the Holy Virgin, better known as “Porta Panagia”, a three-aisled, domed, cross-in-square basilica. It served as the katholikon of a stauropegic monastery founded in 1283.

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On this side of the river, a little further away, about 5 km from Pyli at an altitude of 650 meters on the slopes of Koziakas, stands another major religious monument, the Monastery of Saint Vissarion of Dousiko. It was founded in 1535 by the most prominent native of Pyli, Saint Vissarion (patron saint of Pyli, Trikala, and Kalambaka), during his tenure as Metropolitan of Larissa. It is one of the few monasteries outside Mount Athos where the avaton applies—women are prohibited from entering, based on the recorded wishes of its founder.

Externally, it resembles a fortress—it actually served as a kind of castle and refuge for Greek fighters during difficult times for the nation. At the peak of its operation, it had 365 cells, one for each day of the year. The frescoes of the katholikon are stunning and attributed to the renowned Constantinopolitan artist of the Cretan School, Tzortzis, while valuable treasures are housed in the monastery library.

The Dousiko Monastery is not the only legacy of Saint Vissarion in Pyli. He funded the construction of many stone bridges in the mountainous regions of Thessaly, and one of the most impressive lies just a few kilometers outside of Pyli. The Bridge of Pyli (also known as "Saint Vissarion's" or "Porta Panagia’s") is one of the largest single-arch bridges in Greece and remains in excellent condition.

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A Dreamlike Bridge

A few kilometers past Pyli, crossing a narrow bridge at a spectacular point in the Portaikos valley marks the beginning of a route along the slopes of Koziakas (or “Kerketio”), passing through some of the most famous mountain resorts of Trikala: Elati, the Pertouli Meadows, and Pertouli (each deserving its own “chapter”). But before continuing along that route, a detour is a must at the signs pointing to Stournareika and the Palaiokarya Bridge. This stone bridge is perhaps the most beautiful and most photographed in Greece, as it stands in a magical setting with two waterfalls completing the fairytale scenery. In the settlement of the same name, you’ll find a traditional dristela (a water-powered fulling mill). A short detour will take you to Ropoto, the “sinking village” with its striking, tilted Church of the Dormition of the Virgin. Continuing westward along this route, passing through charming villages like Stournareika and Mesochora, you’ll eventually reach Tzoumerka and Arta.

The “Therapeutic” Mountain

Returning to the “main” route, you’ll follow the slopes of Koziakas. Its forests are known for their rich fauna and the great variety of aromatic and medicinal herbs. According to myth, the god of medicine, Asclepius, roamed these wonderful landscapes in search of ingredients for his healing remedies.

From Elati, the Pertouli Meadows, and Kori (among other options), trails lead to the Koziakas Mountain Refuge (Contact: +306939173337, +306979293482, +306977662569 & +306947819298), which opened in 1959 at an altitude of 1,750 meters. From the refuge, the highest peak, Astrapi, at 1,901 meters, is just a 30-minute hike away.

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Passage to the Vlach Villages

Leaving Pertouli behind, you’ve essentially (though not “officially”) entered the “territory” of the Aspropotamos, as the residents of the next Kozias villages share Vlach heritage and common traditions with the “true” Aspropotamians. The first village after Pertouli is the region’s third tourist hub, the beautiful Neraidochori, amphitheatrically built on a slope—like all the villages from this point on—and offering excellent accommodations. Below the village, in the Kamniaitis valley, you’ll find the stone bridge of Hatzipetros near a well-preserved section of the old “Vlachostrata”. Asking locals will greatly help you locate them.

Continuing westward, you'll come across the impressive stone-built church of Saint Paraskevi overlooking the entire valley. A few meters ahead, you’ll enjoy the panoramic view of the very “steep” Pyrrha, where it’s worth seeking out the Church of Saint Modestos with its reddish dome and beautiful frescoes.

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The next village is also steep—Desi. To its north, in the Kremasti area, look for the towering waterfall, especially in spring when the waters flow vigorously. South of Desi, below the road, is the village of Agios Nikolaos (formerly "Kamniai") and nearly across from it, “drowned” in vegetation, is Drosochori (formerly "Tyfloseli"), where you’ll find another waterfall known as “Mana tou Nerou” (Mother of Water).

Always heading west, a bit further on you’ll see to your right the very unique church of Saint Nikolaos Asfakas, “wedged” into an imposing vertical rock. Just a few more kilometers and you’ll reach Aleksiou Bridge, which means you’re now, officially, in Aspropotamos!

The fact that ancient Trikki was, according to the geographer of the 1st century BC Strabo, the birthplace of the god of Medicine, Asclepius, has given it timeless glamor over time. The oldest written mention of Trikki is found in the Homeric catalogue of ships, where it is mentioned that the city participated in the expeditionary force of the Greeks in the Trojan War with 30 ships and leaders the two sons of Asclepius, Machaon and Podaleirios, who had been taught the medical art by their father. The ancient city extended from the northern banks of the Lithaios River to the hill of the Byzantine castle, but few traces of it are visible, due to continuous habitation. On the contrary, what is visible to the naked eye in Trikala is the familiarity with new technologies that have given the city the unofficial title of the most "Hi-Tech" city in Greece.

The Lithaios River has been the reference point of the city from ancient times and remains so today. Over 10 bridges cross the river, but it is the central one, a wonderful metal construction, that wins the eyes. It is also known as "French" because it was designed and built in 1886 by French engineers of the company "Thessaly Railways" and is the classic meeting point of the city.

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Walking in the city

Starting from the "French" bridge, and after admiring the landscape with the plane trees on the banks of the Lithaios, most visitors choose to start their acquaintance with Trikala from the Asklipiou pedestrian street, the most "lively" street of the city, south of the river. The street, which the Trikalinos call "Paralia", gathers dozens of commercial stores and cafes and is bustling with movement almost all hours of the day. The extension of the pedestrian street reaches the Railway Station.

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Returning to the "French" bridge and passing to the north of Lithaios are the Manavika, a once infamous neighborhood that housed brothels, but transformed into another pole of the city's social life, with the opening of restaurants, mezedopolia  and tasteful bars. Nevertheless, the most famous point of Manavika is the 150 square meter mural, which turned the awkward wall of an apartment building into a work of art.

Where Manavika ends, the Varousi begins, the old city of Trikala which experienced great prosperity between the 17th and 19th centuries, when most of the mansions that the visitor admires today were built. The walk in the narrow alleys offers a wonderful journey in time. Above Varousi, dominates the Byzantine Fortress and the Clock Tower which is the "trademark" of the city.

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Cultural Spaces

Trikala has a great cultural tradition and its contribution especially in the field of folk music is enormous. The composer Apostolos Kaldaras, the lyricist Kostas Virvos, the great singer Dimitris Mitropanos were all Trikalinos! But above all stands, leading and unsurpassed, the great figure of Vasilis Tsitsanis. If you want to learn everything about the life and work of the great folk bard, a visit to the impressive Tsitsanis Research - Museum Center is a must.

Next to the Tsitsanis Museum is one of the most important monuments of Trikala, the Osman Shah Mosque also known as "Koursoum" or "Koursoun" ("lead") mosque, which today is used as a venue for cultural events.  It is the only work of the leading architect of the Ottoman Empire, Mimar Sinan, in Greece. We should note that Mimar Sinan was of Greek origin, from the village of Agioi Anargyroi (now "Agirnas") of Caesarea. 

Another important cultural space is the Kliafa History and Culture Center where a museum of local history and an industrial museum operate, while it also has a large hall for cultural events and a library with 6,000 books. 

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A very important industrial monument of the city is the Matsopoulos Mill which was the first industrial flour mill built in Greece and the largest in the Balkans. The Mill operated for a century (1884 - 1984) and has been declared a historical preserved monument. Today it has been transformed into a multi-purpose art and culture space that includes the Industrial Museum, a cinema hall, a summer cinema, theater, painting and sculpture workshops and a cafeteria. For more than a month, during the Christmas season, it is transformed into the Mill of the Elves, the "Christmas Village" that has transformed Trikala into the top festive destination in Greece!