Nestled among the towering rocks of Meteora, picturesque Kastraki, the base for climbers who arrive from every corner of the globe, is one of the most distinctive villages in Greece.
Wild, mysterious, sheer, towering rocks with world-famous monasteries perched atop them. The landscape of Meteora captivates. This «stone forest» rising above Kalabaka is a one-of-a-kind spectacle in the world, and a testament to human grandeur.
At the western foothills of Meteora,nestled in the embrace of the rocks, lies a picturesque settlement, one of the most distinctive villages in Greece and a launchpad for climbers who visit the area. This is Kastraki, an ideal place for those seeking serenity and quiet moments, but also for those drawn to action and adventure.
Kastraki Trikala: A picturesque setting in the shadow of Meteora
Kastraki, designated a protected traditional settlement, just 2 km. from the center of Kalabaka, harmoniously blends the calm of the Greek countryside with the unique landscape of Meteora. Wedged at the foot of the towering sandstone rocks that seem to protect it, it offers unique views of the otherworldly scenery to those who choose it as their base for excursions in the area.
Kastraki took its name from a small Byzantine castle, of which only scant remnants survive. The village features a campsite, tavernas, hotels, guesthouses, shops with traditional products, and icon-painting workshops. It’s worth strolling through the old settlement, the neighborhoods with mansions crowned with red-tiled roofs, seeing the Museum of the Geological History of Meteora, threading the paths between the sky-high rocks, visiting the small chapels and the monasteries, and savoring traditional recipes at the area’s tavernas. Be sure to try local tsipouro and wine with choice meze wherever you sit in the village.
The village has a rich history and preserves an important local tradition. Many customs survive to this day, among which stands out the rope ascent to the chapel of St. George of Mandilas. Every year on his feast day, the villagers and visitors from all over Greece honor the Saint by offering him a scarf. Climbers as well as ordinary residents climb to raise the new scarves and bring down those that were hoisted the previous year.
Kastraki, together with the rest of the Meteora area, has been declared a Monument of Nature and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With your gaze… on Meteora
The famed monasteries built on the summits of the towering rocks constitute the second most important monastic complex in Greece after Mount Athos. Of the thirty that existed historically, only six operate today (St. Nicholas Anapafsas, Transfiguration of the Saviour or Great Meteoron, Varlaam, Rousanou, Holy Trinity, and St. Stephen), which, since 1988, have been included in UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
According to various Byzantinologists, the first hermits arrived on the rocks of Meteora in the 11th century. In the 14th century, Saint Athanasios the Meteorite created the first organized monastic community, founding the Great Meteoron Monastery. Climbing on the rocks of Meteora continues to this day, a lifelong dream for many lovers of the sport who come from every corner of the earth.Crowds of tourists arrive all year round to admire the monasteries, to pray, to meditate, and to explore the landscape along the wonderful trails that wind between the rocks.
