The
homonymous capital of the prefecture is built on the site of the
Homeric city of Trikke. Crowned by the Byzantine castle, on the
summit of the wooded hill of the ancient acropolis, Trikala spreads
on the banks of the river Lithaios, which is spanned by quaint
bridges.
 Sights:
The Byzantine fortress, the archaeological site near the Greek
Orthodox cathedral (metropolis) of Aghios Nikolaos, which is attributed
to an Asklepieion, the old neighbourhood of Varousi below the
castle, the old churches.
Museums
- Art Galleries:
Municipal Folklore Museum Municipal Art Gallery Collection of
16th-19th century icons
Kalambaka:
349 km from Athens, 22 km north of Trikala.
En
route to the monasteries at Meteora the visitor passes through
Kalambaka, built in the foothills of the majesic grey crags.
On
top of a hillock stands the Greek Orthodox cathedral (metropolis),
dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin, (first half 12th c.),
with valuable icons and wall paintings.
 A
short distance south of Kalambaka is Theopetra, an impressive
rock with a cave of archaeological importance, which has yielded
evidence of occupation from the Palaeolithic to the Neolithic
Age.
To
the southwest of Trikala (18 km away) is the town of Pyli or Porta,
guarding the narrow pass between Thessaly and Epirus, through
the Pindos Mountains. Here flows the river Portaikos, a tributary
of the Pineios. The Pyli defile, with a watermill, is shaded by
towering plane trees. At the base of Mount Koziaka (former Kerketion)
is a rock with remains of ancient defensive walls, site of the
ancient city of Pialia.
Other
places of interest in the area are:
The traditional settlement of Porto Panaghia with its cobbled
streets and thriving orchards.
The
church of Porta Panaghia, one of the most important Byzantine
monuments in Greece (1283), is built on the site of a sanctuary
of Athena or Apollo, from which the spolia incorporated in its
masonry were taken.
The
Monastery of Aghios Vissarion, tel.: (04340) 22.420, 2 km further
north, of Pyli was founded in 1522 by Saint Vessarion. Built like
a fortress, it is surrounded by a wall 10 m high.
The
Convent of the Koimesis tis Theotokou (Dormition of the Virgin)
stands 5 km south of Pyli on a slope of Mount Itamos.
The
stone humpback bridge – a scheduled historical monument –
was built under the direction of Saint Vessarion (1514-1518).
The
little village of Pertouli (48 km west of Trikala) is one of the
best winter resorts in Thessaly. At Pertouliotika Livadia, 3 km
northeast of it, there is the Koziaka ski center. Information:
Ski Center, tel. (04340) 91.385.
Neraidochori
(52 km west of Trikala) is built on a pine-covered hillside.
The
beautiful mountain village of Elati is a stopping place for the
Koziaka refuge and ski center.
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