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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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Kastraki, Trikala

Kastraki (Greek: Καστράκι) is a village in Kalabaka municipal unit, Trikala, Thessaly, Greece. It is located on the northwest of the main municipal unit of Kalabaka. Kastraki takes advantage of a small valley opening into the southwest side of the Meteora massif. It is thus surrounded by precipices except on the west side, at the entrance to the valley. That entrance is flanked by two rock columns, one on each side, Agio Pnewma and Surloti. It has some elevation over the river, but not excessive. At the head of the valley stands a tall, thin rock, called Spindle Rock. Beyond it the massif does not allow for urban settlement. The monasteries are sprinkled on various tall precipices.

The village had a population of 1,023 as of 2021. The administrative village occupies an area of 47.9 km. Its elevation is 275 metres above sea level.

Etymology

The name Kastraki is derived from the word kastro, or Byzantine castle. The castle was built by Andronikos Palaiologos and stood until 1362. The castle is in ruins today.

History

During the early 1700s, Kastraki was formed from an amalgamation of hamlets called Rouxiori, Agia Paraskevi, Rigilavo, and Triskiano. These hamlets were founded by migrants from northern Epirus (i.e., southern Albania) who were fleeing from the Ottomans.

Description

The village has a central plaza and church, as well as various hotels and restaurants (tavernas) that cater to international tourists. An extensive network of trails connects Kastraki to various rocks and monasteries. The town of Kalambaka is a 20-minute walk away via the main road.

Rocks

Various rocks of the Meteora rock complex surround the village of Kastraki.

Rocks in the north

Rocks in the east

Rocks in the south

Sport

In 2016, the first Meteora MTB Race took place in the village.

References

  1. ^ "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
  2. ^ "Kastraki". GeoNames. Retrieved 2022-06-02.
  3. ^ "Μετέωρα: Ικριωματικά καταφύγια" (PDF). Δημοκρίτειο Πανεπιστήμιο Θράκης (Τμήμα Αρχιτεκτόνων Μηχανικών). December 2019. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  4. ^ Provatakis, Theocharis M. (2006). Meteora: History of monasteries and monasticism. Athens: Michalis Toubis Publications S.A. p. 108. ISBN 960-540-095-2.
  5. ^ OpenStreetMap.
  6. ^ Map of Monasteries, Meteora. Baedeker, PlanetWare.
  7. ^ "Meteora MTB Race - Vasilis Efstathiou". cyclinghellas.gr. Retrieved 2024-09-30.

Media related to Kastraki (Kalambaka) at Wikimedia Commons