Trikala

Coordinates: 39°33′N 21°46′E / 39.550°N 21.767°E / 39.550; 21.767
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For other uses, see Trikala (disambiguation).
Trikala
Τρίκαλα
UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
421 00
Area code(s)24310
Vehicle registrationΤΚ
Websitewww.trikalacity.gr

Trikala (Greek: Τρίκαλα) is a city in northwestern Thessaly, Greece, and the capital of the Trikala regional unit. The city straddles the Lithaios river, which is a tributary of Pineios. According to the Greek National Statistical Service, Trikala is populated by 81,355 inhabitants (2011), while in total the Trikala regional unit is populated by 131,085 inhabitants (2011).

Trikala is a lively Greek city with picturesque monuments and old neighborhoods with traditional architecture. The city is near Meteora and also near the mountain range of south Pindus, where there are many destinations (i.e. Pyli's stone bridge, Elati, Pertouli, Palaiokarya's stone bridge and waterfall, Pertouli Ski Center etc.).[2]

Name

The city's name derives from the ancient Trikka or Trikke (Greek: Τρίκκα or Greek: Τρίκκη), which was itself named after a nymph that was a daughter of Peneus or Asopos. The name Trikala appears in the Byzantine period. In Ottoman Turkish it was known as Tirhala. In Aromanian it is known as Trikolj.

History

Antiquity

Silver hemidrachm struck in Trikka 440-400 BC.
O: naked Thessalian youth restraining forepart of unruly prancing bull R:forepart of bridled prancing horse
A statue of Asclepius

The region of Trikala has been inhabited since

prehistoric times. The first indications of permanent settlement have been uncovered in the cave of Theopetra, and date back to approx. 49,000 BC. Neolithic
settlements dating back to 6,000 BC have been uncovered in Megalo Kefalovriso and other locations.

The city of Trikala is built on the ancient city of Trikka or Trikke, which was founded around the 3rd millennium BC and took its name from the nymph Trikke, daughter of

Trikala Prefecture
.

In historical times, the city of Trikke and the surrounding area experienced prosperity. It fell to the

Achaemenid Persians in 480 BC, while ten years later it joined the Thessalian monetary union. In 352 BC it was united with the Macedonia of Philip II. The city became a location of hard battles between Macedonia and Rome. While Philip V of Macedon and his son Perseus tried to keep the city, after 168 BC it fell to the Roman Republic
.

Middle Ages

Inside the Byzantine castle

While the area was considered to be firmly under the rule of the Byzantine Empire, it was invaded nevertheless by a succession of raiders and nomadic tribes. Some of these tribes that raided the area include: Goths (396), Huns (447), Slavs (577), Bulgarians (986-1000), Normans (1082/3), Catalans (1309–1311).

The current name of Trikala first appears in the 11th-century

al-Idrisi recorded the town as "an important agrarian center with abundant vineyards and gardens" (T.E. Gregory).[3]

After the dissolution of the Byzantine state by the Fourth Crusade in 1204, Trikala does not appear to have fallen into Frankish hands, but became part of the Despotate of Epirus. Epirote rule lasted until 1259, when the town was taken without resistance by the Empire of Nicaea (after 1261 the renewed Byzantine Empire) following the Battle of Pelagonia.[3] In the early 14th century the town was the capital of a semi-independent domain under the sebastokrator Stephen Gabrielopoulos, which extended across much of western Thessaly and Macedonia. After his death in 1332/3 the city, along with most of Gabrielopoulos' lands, was seized by the Epirote ruler John II Orsini, but he was in turn expelled and the area incorporated into the Byzantine Empire by Andronikos III Palaiologos.[3][4]

In 1348, Thessaly was conquered by

Meteora monasteries nearby. Symeon was succeeded by his son John Uroš, and he in turn by the local magnates Alexios Angelos Philanthropenos and Manuel Angelos Philanthropenos, who ruled until the Ottoman conquest of Thessaly in 1393/4.[3][5]

Ottoman period

Osman Shah Mosque
A street in Varousi

Under Ottoman rule, the city was called Tırhala. Its fortunes in the early period of Ottoman rule are unclear: it is reported as being part of a large

medreses, a hammam, imaret, khan and karwansaray extending beyond the citadel and the Varoussi (Varosh) quarter which remained Christian".[6]

As the administrative center of the local province (the

Janissaries. According to the 1603-4 "eşkal defter" Christian boys from the villages around the town were included in the batch that the Turnacıbaşı, the Chief collection officer levied.[7]

The 17th-century Ottoman traveller

Greek Revolution in 1821.[6] By 1840, it reportedly had only 10,000 inhabitants, with the last Ottoman census in 1877/8 listing 25,000 inhabitants for the entire sanjak of Trikala.[6]

Modern period

Dorothea School houses also the Philharmonic Society of Trikala

On 23 August 1881 with the

Greco-Turkish War of 1897. In the years that followed, Trikala played a fundamental role in the rural workers' mobilizations, in the early 20th century, against the Thessalian landlords (Greek
: Τσιφλικάδες). Trikala eventually became the city that the first Agricultural Cooperative of Greece was founded, in 1906.

Historically, Trikala and its surroundings had a notable concentration of Aromanians, including from other regions.[8]

The town lost much of its Ottoman and medieval buildings in the early 20th century, particularly after it was rebuilt to a modern urban plan in the 1930s.[6]

Trikala today is a vibrant greek city, well known throughout Greece for its river that bisects the city center and also for the historic monuments and the picturesque old town. [2]

Sights

Ruins of the ancient greek Asclepieion in the archaeological site of Ancient Trikka
View of the clock tower, located within the Byzantine castle of the old town (Varousi).
Panagia Faneromeni church in Varousi
Panagia Episkepsi church in Varousi
View of the old town of Varousi from the castle.
Traditional architecture in Varousi
A street in Manavika
Central bridge
  • The archaeological site of
    Asklepieion of Trikke, the most significant and most ancient of Greece, according to Strabo. Trikala (ancient Tricca or Trikke) is considered the birthplace of Asclepius, a hero and god of medicine in ancient Greek religion and mythology. The archaeological site of ancient Tricca is situated next to St. Nicholas Cathedral and the old town.[9]
  • The
    Justinian onto the acropolis of ancient Trikke in the 6th century AD. Later it was rebuilt by the Ottomans, who in the 17th century placed a huge clock tower, which was accompanied by a bell weighing 650 kg (1,433 lb). In 1936, another clock tower was placed and today remains the trademark of the city, while offers a panoramic view to the city. Under the castle lies the old town
    .
  • The Old Town of Trikala, which consists of the districts Varousi and Manavika. Varousi was a Christian district of Trikala during the Ottoman rule and is located at the foot of the fortress. Until 1930, this part of the city was considered as the noble district of Trikala and is now a conservation area, with a large number of traditional old buildings, built between 17th and 19th century, preserved until today. In this part are located the oldest churches of the city, built between the 14th and the 19th century, all very close to each other. Following the district Varousi up to the central square is the part of the city called Manavika, a neighborhood of the old town with a uniform picturesque architecture. Here are located some of the best restaurants, coffee shops, and bars in town.[10]
  • The Greek Orthodox Churches of Trikala. The oldest churches of the city are located mainly in the old town, within the Varousi historic district. Those churches are: Church of Virgin Mary Faneromeni (1853), Church of Virgin Mary Episkepsi (1867), Saint Stephen Church (1882), Saint Paraskevi Church (1843), Saint Marina Church (1766), Saint Demetrius Church (1588), Church of Saints Anargyroi (renovated in 1575), Saint John the Baptist Chapel (1674), Church of Saint John the Merciful and Saint Panteleimon (14th C.) and the Saint Nicholas Cathedral. Other historic churches can be also found in many other parts of the city.
  • The Hill of Prophitis Ilias (Prophet Elijah), a grove with a nice panoramic view of the city and within walking distance from the city center. On this hill is situated the church of the Prophet Elijah (built in 1897) and the municipal zoo.[11]
  • Lithaios river that bisects the city center being its renowned landmark and the Central Bridge, built in 1886, which connects the central square with the main pedestrian street. Additional recognizable points of the Lithaios river are the bridge with the statue of Asclepius and the characteristic lush river banks in the middle of the city center.[12]
  • The Mill of Matsopoulos, which was constructed in 1884 and today is a historical-industrial building being used as a museum and cultural center. During the Christmas period, the stone-built Matsopoulos Mill transforms into the “Mill of Elves”, Greece's most famous Christmas park.
  • The
    Suleyman the Magnificent.[10]
  • The Twin Ottoman bath (Hammam of Osman Shah). Built in the 16th century and probably designed by Mimar Sinan, underwent many changes and different uses throughout its history. The Twin Ottoman bath has been recently restored and nowadays is being used as a museum, hosting an archaeological ceramic collection and other temporary exhibitions. The Tsitsanis Μuseum is located on the upper floor of the building. [10][13]
  • The Trikala Train Station (built in 1886), the Courthouse (seat of the Ottoman authorities during the Turkish rule), the Folklore Museum [14] and many more historical and neoclassical buildings.

Nearby destinations

Trikala city is in close proximity of many interesting destinations in the region suitable for daily trips. The city is near the world famous

Kalampaka and also near the mountain range of south Pindus
with its renowned sights i.e. the stone bridge of Pyli (16th c.), the Byzantine Church of Porta Panagia, the stone bridge (16th c.) and waterfall of Palaiokarya, Elati, Pertouli, Neraidochori and Pertouli Ski Center.

Administration

The municipality Trikala was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 8 former municipalities, that became municipal units:[15]

The municipality has an area of 607.585 km2, the municipal unit 69.205 km2.[16]

Province

The province of Trikala was one of the provinces of the Trikala Prefecture. Its territory corresponded with that of the current municipalities Trikala, Farkadona and Pyli.[17] It was abolished in 2006.

Infrastructure

Trikala is home to the General Hospital of the Trikala Prefecture. The Physical Education and Sport Science department of the University of Thessaly is also located in Trikala, and was founded in 1994, with the first students being admitted in the academic year 1994-1995; it was originally housed in the Matsopoulos Park facility, but moved to the new Karyes campus in July 1999. Trikala has over 20 schools of secondary education, and a modern night technical school also functions in the town.

Trikala has the distinction of being the first smart city in Greece, integrating new technologies into the daily life of the municipality and providing government services to citizens by means of e-governance.[18][19] Furthermore, it is in the process of becoming Greece's first 5G-ready city.[20]

Transport

The city is next to the Motorway 3 (A3), or the Central Greek motorway (known also as E65 highway). KTEL, which is the main intercity public transport bus service in Greece, has frequent bus itineraries, connecting Trikala with the surrounding regions, Athens, Thessaloniki and many other cities of the mainland. The city is also served by a railway station. There are daily basis train connection to Athens and Thessaloniki.

Climate

Trikala's continental influence isn't enough for the city to avoid being classified as a Mediterranean climate (Csa), although with significant diurnal temperature variation. Summers are very hot, with an August average high of 34.5 °C (94.1 °F). Meanwhile, autumn and spring are quite mild, lacking extremely low or high temperatures. Freezing temperatures occur sporadically, especially during winter nights. Occasional snowfall is observed but is generally not significant.

Climate data for Trikala Castle
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 10.7
(51.3) 		14.7
(58.5) 		17.3
(63.1) 		20.5
(68.9) 		26.7
(80.1) 		32.8
(91.0) 		33.5
(92.3) 		34.5
(94.1) 		30.6
(87.1) 		24.6
(76.3) 		17.1
(62.8) 		12.5
(54.5) 		23.0
(73.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 1.8
(35.2) 		3.9
(39.0) 		5.7
(42.3) 		8.7
(47.7) 		13.4
(56.1) 		18.5
(65.3) 		20.3
(68.5) 		19.9
(67.8) 		17.3
(63.1) 		12.1
(53.8) 		8.9
(48.0) 		5.9
(42.6) 		11.4
(52.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 58.6
(2.31) 		80.2
(3.16) 		76.4
(3.01) 		43.2
(1.70) 		41.8
(1.65) 		33.8
(1.33) 		17.0
(0.67) 		18.3
(0.72) 		55.7
(2.19) 		73.1
(2.88) 		75.6
(2.98) 		71.0
(2.80) 		644.7
(25.4)
Source: [1] 2010-2020 precipitation ,2019-2021 temperatures

Sporting teams

Twin towns - sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Greece

Trikala is

twinned with:[21]

Historical population

Railway station building.
Year Municipal unit Municipality
1991 48,857 74,832
2001 54,605 78,817
2011 61,653 81,355
2021 62,064 78,605

Notable people

See also

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. ^ a b "Trikala City - Η Πόλη του Ασκληπιού - Νομός Τρικάλων".
  3. ^
    ISBN 0-19-504652-8
    .
  4. ISBN 978-0-472-08260-5
    .
  5. ISBN 978-0-472-08260-5
    .
  6. ^
    ISBN 978-90-04-11211-7
    .
  7. ISSN 0041-4255
    .
  8. ^ Rousiakis, Sotirios (2021). THE MODERN GREEK DIALECT OF THE KARAGOUNS IN WEST THESSALY. p. 19.
  9. ^ "Ασκληπιείο Αρχαίας Τρίκκης - Ασκληπιείο Τρίκαλα".
  10. ^ a b c "A proposal for the enhancement and ideal administration of monuments in the town of Trikala (Part 1)". 17 February 2014.
  11. ^ "Λόφος του Προφήτη Ηλία – Η ομορφιά έχει πράσινο".
  12. ^ "Ληθαίος ποταμός". 12 January 2016.
  13. ^ "Μουσείο Τσιτσάνη - Βασίλης Τσιτσάνης". Μουσείο Τσιτσάνη.
  14. ^ "Ανοικτό και πάλι το εξαίσιο Λαογραφικό Μουσείο Τρικάλων". 11 December 2022.
  15. ^ "ΦΕΚ A 87/2010, Kallikratis reform law text" (in Greek). Government Gazette.
  16. ^ "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece.
  17. ^ "Detailed census results 1991" (PDF). (39 MB) (in Greek and French)
  18. ^ "The 'smart city' of Trikala and the future of Greece". Kathimerini. 24 March 2017. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  19. ^ "Inside Greece's first smart city: 'Now you don't need to know a politician to get something done'". The Guardian. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  20. ^ "Τα Τρίκαλα γίνονται η πρώτη 5G πόλη". News247. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  21. ^ "Αδελφοποιημένες Πόλεις". trikalacity.gr (in Greek). Trikala. 24 June 2016. Retrieved 2020-01-09.

Additional reading

  • Messinas, Elias. (2022). The Synagogues of Greece: A Study of Synagogues in Macedonia and Thrace: With Architectural Drawings of all Synagogues of Greece. KDP, 190.
    ISBN 979-8-8069-0288-8

External links

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