3rd DAY (27th MARCH)
Trikala is a town in northwestern Thessaly, Greece, and the capital of the Trikala regional unit. It holds third place among the towns of Thessaly with respect to cultural and financial activities. The town is built close to the foothills of the Hasia mountain range and is divided into two parts by the Lithaios River . Located in the center of the valley of Thessaly, in the location of the ancient city of Trikki , it is a town with a rather new road plan and well constructed roads, squares and parks. Trikala is the commercial and processing center for the farm produce of Trikala Prefecture.
Infrastructure
The General Hospital of the Trikala Prefecture is located in Trikala. The Physical Education and Sport Science Department of the University of Thessaly is also situated here, 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. General Information
There where myths were born and experiences never cease… Castles, elaborate figurines, ancient sites, byzantine churches and monasteries and beautiful bridges indicate a continuing uninterrupted civilization. Trikala Prefecture provides different majestic scenery at each glance and a different unforgettable experience each moment. The countryside terrain exhibits great variety. One comes across a wide range of customs and traditions and a great cultural heritage. Trikala Prefecture is one of the most fertile regions of Greece with rich crops of grains, cotton, pulses and other agricultural products not to mention the robust animal farming activities.
Antiquity
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 approximately 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. It was named after the nymph Trikke, Penaeus’s daughter, or according to another myth, daughter of the Asopus river. The ancient city was built at a sheltered location between the local hill and the river Lithaios . The city became an important center in antiquity and it was considered to be the birthplace and main residence of the Healing God Asclepius . One of the most important ancient Asclepius’s temples, Asclepieia, can be found in the town. The city is also mentioned in Homer's Iliad as having participated in the Trojan War with thirty ships under Asclepius' sons, Machaon and Podalirius . In the Mycenaean period, it was the capital of a kingdom and later it constituted the main center of the Thessalian region of Estaiotis, which roughly occupied the territory of the modern Trikala Prefecture.
BYZANTINE CASTLE of TRIKALA
The castle of Trikala is located on the north eastern side of the town. According to Prokopios, it was built by the Emperor Justinian I (6th century) in the place of the ancient acropolis of Trikki. The exterior wall is polygonal in shape, with five towers and several small turrets. The castle is divided into three baileys. The first one, containing the main entrance with a semicircular stone archway, is on the west side. The east side houses a café and a restaurant. For easier access to and from the city, a flight of stone steps was built in 1960. During Byzantine years, the church of the Archangels was built to the right of the gate in the second bailey; yet, it has not survived until the present day. According to some historians, it was burned down between 1330 and 1332 and was renovated several years later by Bishop Anthony of Larissa. In the same bailey, an open air amphitheatre was constructed in 1988; it is actually a performance space used for theatrical productions and concerts throughout the summer months. The third bailey is the most important one strategically, since it has a prominent position and visual contact with the surrounding area. It occupies the north eastern upper end of the citadel and forms an irregular quadrant shaped ward covering an area of approximately 1,200 sq.m. Local tradition holds that the third bailey contains a secret opening, which functioned as an escape route from the castle in times of hostilities. This opening was a tunnel burrowed under the perimeter wall and followed a northeasterly direction, crossing the southern slope of the hill of Prophet Elias and eventually leading to the church of the Assumption in Kalampaka. THE OLD CITY OF TRIKALA The Old City of Trikala consists of two districts: Varousi and Manavika . Located on the eastern side of the castle, the old neighbourhood Varousi was an affluent Christian self governing district. The manors of Varousi and the numerous churches (ten in total dating from the 16th century up to the 19th century) reflect the economic and cultural growth of the 18th and 19th centuries which resulted from the development of merchantry and industry. The glamour of Varousi has been overshadowed by the expansion of the town and the construction of new neo classical manors in the late nineteenth century.
Next to Varousi spreading towards the central square is the part of the city called Manavika , a neighborhood of the old city with a uniform architecture. All buildings are of the same architectural style with solid brick, high ceilings, lofts and large openings.
Manavika has evolved through its long history. In the 1920’s, it was the town’s notorious district and was called the ‘stena’ (narrow alleys) with brothels, ouzo bars and tavernas. When the brothels ceased their operation in the neighborhood, the produce market moved into these buildings.
Today, they are fully restored and, for the most part, the shops have become traditional tavernas, restaurants and bars which maintain their traditional form and continuity through time. Manavika, with their distinct architecture, continue to attract the attention of Trikala residents and visitors. Visual intervention – Mural
Manavika is adorned with a visual intervention. It is a 150m2 mural that was completed on October 4, 2006. It was painted as part of the intra state program “Integrated Urban Development Interventions in Small scale Local Zones in Agios Ecoumenios of Trikala” undertaken by the Thessalia Regional Operational Program and the Engineering Department of the Municipality of Trikala for the visual refurbishment of the faces of buildings. The mural was inaugurated by the Mayor of Trikala and the Mayor of the 5th district of Lyon.
The project was undertaken by SACVL, the painters of Cite de la Creation and electricians of ΗΤΕ, all internationally recognized for their trompe l’oeil techniques who have done similar work in Lyon, the Cairo Sofitel, a large surface in Russia, the Castillo de Moro in Cuba, the Ermitage Saint Petersburg and elsewhere. The mural is unique in Trikala and Greece.
It presents our daily life in a realistic manner. Scenes from the balconies of houses, a taverna and its musical show, singers in the balconies, the farmer’s market, housewives shopping and children playing carefree in the neighborhood streets can be seen. They are actually simple scenes of everyday life, but truly precious ones.
The fantastic work of the painters and careful lighting create a different aura in the neighborhood. The mural is in fact a magnet for the people who walk and hang out in the area and takes them back to yesteryears.
It is a true artefact for the town of Trikala.
ASKLEPIEION OF TRIKKE The ruins of an old sanctuary of the physician god, an Asklepieion, or healing place, are located between the central square and the church of Saint Nicholas (Agios Nikolaos) in Trikala. It is the oldest Aesculapium of Greece a kind of medical centre from which the worship of Aesculapius gradually spread. The archaeological site includes: Part of a late Hellenistic building which remained in use during the Roman period. The preserved mosaic floors are also dating back to the Roman period. Part of a late Hellenistic arched gallery Part of a Roman bath. A post Byzantine church. The preserved ancient remains were brought to light during excavations carried out periodically between 1902 and 1992. THE LITHAIOS RIVER AND THE CENTRAL BRIDGE
The Lithaios River flows through Trikala and divides it in two parts. According to the historian Stravon, Asclepius, the first doctor of antiquity, was born on its banks. Its name means the river of oblivion.
The Lithaios is a point of reference for the residents of Trikala. It is very rare for a Greek city to have a river running through it. The change of scenery with the very tall green trees in the summer and the same trees without leaves in the winter enchant visitors no matter what time of the year they visit Trikala.
With its crystal clear waters and the light breeze it causes, the Lithaios creates a romantic atmosphere for those walking along its banks. The banks of the river are connected with many bridges.
Visitors can stand on the central pedestrian bridge for a while and feel as if they were standing on the dock of a river travelling down the Lithaios River. One can also sit on the benches and admire the flow of the water from the glass transoms. Looking to the north, across the bridge, is the statue of Asclepius – the work of sculptor Theodoros Vassilopoulos .
The waterfall at the base of the statue creates an unprecedented sight, especially at night when the banks of the Lithaios River are lit. The central pedestrian bridge is metal and was built in 1886 by French engineers. It was a bridge used by cars up to 1996. The bridge is the link of the city as it connects Asclepius Street, the commercial street of Trikala, with the Central Iroon Polytechniou Square.
KOURSOUM MOSQUE (OSMAN SHAH MOSQUE)
The Osman Shah Mosque or Koursoum is a 16th century Ottoman mosque.
The mosque was founded by Osman Shah, also known as Kara Osman Pasha. Osman was the son of one of Sultan Selim I's daughters, and for a long time, he lived in Trikala and governed the local province (Sanjak of Trikala). The exact dating of the mosque is uncertain, but it was probably built in the period 1550–60, most likely in the late 1550s. Osman attached several charitable establishments to the mosque, among others a madrasah, an alms house, and a caravanserai, and was himself buried in a türbe in the mosque's southern courtyard in 1567/8. By the time of Evliya Çelebi's visit a century later, the mosque had been the principal mosque of the city.
The mosque itself was built by the renowned Ottoman architect, Mimar Sinan. It is one out of the 79 mosques he built throughout his career, and the only one surviving in modern Greece. It is also the only mosque still standing in the town of Trikala – there were at least eight mosques according to Evliya Çelebi. The building itself consists of a square prayer hall topped with a large semi spherical dome and has a portico ( revak ) in front, which has recently been rebuilt. The minaret is located on the northwestern corner and is well preserved except for its missing roof. All the other buildings attached to the mosque have been destroyed except for the founder's octagonal türbe , which is used as a storage site for artefacts found in archaeological excavations.
The Mosque was reconstructed in 1993 and it is a monument protected by UNESCO. Today, it is a venue for events such as artwork exhibitions and speeches. The beautiful sight is completed with the water fountain at the entrance and the lush greenery of the surrounding area.
MODERN CULTURAL AND HISTORIC CENTER OF KLIAFA BEVERAGE COMPANY
This Multidimensional Cultural Center houses the Town Museum. Housed in the old Kliafa Production Facilities, an industrial building of 1926, which was restored at the company’s expense, it preserves its architectural line and a large part of its mechanical equipment.
The great variety of exhibits allows visitors to appreciate all facets of life in Trikala. In particular, in the Local History wing, visitors learn about local administration, architecture, industry, economy, education and culture through pictures, articles, letters, documents and memorabilia.
The hall dedicated to the Kliafa Beverage Company is of special interest as there are photographs and booklets of employees, advertisements, company correspondence and small appliances of the old beverage plant.
The traditional Printing Press is a hall dedicated to the local press. The large printing press with its letter case and composing stick dominates the hall and there are pictures of news reporters and printers and a collection of old music scores on the walls.
Going through the Multipurpose Hall, which seats 120 people and is equipped with modern audio and visual equipment, we enter the Machine Shop, which functions as the Industrial Wing of the Museum.
Then, we come to the hall that hosts the unique in Greece collection of labels and bottle caps from around the world and, then, we enter the Old Pharmacy of 1890, which retains the ambience of another era.
Walking along the Corridor that hosts a small collection of toys and thirteen painting portraying traditional tales of Thessaly, we come to the Young Children and Adolescent Library with a collection of 6,000 selected books, six computers, a small amphitheater especially designed for the projection of videos and slides and for storytelling. TRIKALA TRAIN STATION
The train station building at the end of Asklipiou Street is a veritable gem and architectural monument of the town of Trikala.
The building was built by the French railroad construction company in 1886 when Harliaols Trikoupis was the Prime Minister of Greece.
The Train Station building has recently been upgraded to international standards.
The legendary ‘Karvouniaris,’ the small, restored coal burning train is exhibited across the Train Station.
MYLOS MATSOPOULOU
The Matsopoulos Mill is located in the Park complex, on the NW side of town right after the RR tracks. It was built in 1884 and bequeathed to the Municipality of Trikala in 1977. Its operation stopped in 1984.
The Mill complex is today a historic / industrial monument in the middle of a luscious green park. The Mill immediately attracts the visitors’ eyes not only for its great size but its stonework outside and woodwork inside. The Mill, most parts of which have been restored, operates as a cultural center.
The Municipal Cinema (summer / winter), the Municipal Theater and a café are housed at the Matsopoulos Park. There is also a conference hall and a cultural events hall. During the Christmas period, the stone built Matsopoulos Mill is transformed into the “Mill of Elves”, a famous Christmas park.
MUNICIPAL FOLKLORE MUSEUM
The Municipal Folklore Museum of Trikala was established in 1991. The Museum is housed in a building on 6, Garibaldi Street. It is an excellent example of urban architecture and local history monument and is directly associated with the character of the museum.
The objects in the collection were donated by Trikala residents who also founded the Friends of the Museum Club. The collection covers the period from the end of the 18th century up to the middle of the 20th. The exhibits are displayed in such a manner as to provide a sense of local life and culture to visitors.
The exhibits are structured in the following groups:
• Farming and animal farming utensils, tools and equipment. • Household utensils and tools. • Tools and equipment used by traditional professionals and technicians. • Woven textiles and embroidery of everyday life. • Traditional costumes. • Collection of original old photographs of the town and the Trikala area from 1880 to mid 20th century. • Documents, fliers, etchings and other documentation. ASKLIPIOU STREET
One road, many worlds…
Asklipiou Street is where the residents and visitors of Trikala meet and gather. It is a road to walk and have fun.
Asklipiou Street (previously Sidirodromou) as we know it today, was built in the 1890’s and was paved in 1932. Since the beginning of the century, Asklipiou St has been established as a walking street. After the war, strolling on AsklipiouSt became customary, a tradition that continues today.
After it became a pedestrian street, it is the center of town and the largest commercial and gathering street in Trikala.