Kastraki ( el, Καστράκι) is a village in

Kalabaka Kalabaka ( el, Καλαμπάκα, ''Kalabáka'', alternative transliterations are ''Kalambaka'' and ''Kalampaka'') is a town and seat of the municipality of Meteora in the Trikala regional unit, part of Thessaly in Greece. The population was ...

municipality,

Trikala Trikala ( el, Τρίκαλα; rup, Trikolj) 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 Stati ...

Thessaly Thessaly ( el, Θεσσαλία, translit=Thessalía, ; ancient Thessalian: , ) is a traditional geographic and modern administrative region of Greece, comprising most of the ancient region of the same name. Before the Greek Dark Ages, Thes ...

, Greece. It is located just northwest, within walking distance, of the main town of

. The village had a population of 1172 as of 2011. The administrative village occupies an area of 47.9 km². 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 sq, Epiri rup, Epiru , native_name_lang = , settlement_type = Historical region , image_map = Epirus antiquus tabula.jpg , map_alt = , map_caption = Map of ancient Epirus by Heinrich ...

(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 Kalabaka ( el, Καλαμπάκα, ''Kalabáka'', alternative transliterations are ''Kalambaka'' and ''Kalampaka'') is a town and seat of the municipality of Meteora in the Trikala regional unit, part of Thessaly in Greece. The population was ...

is a 20-minute walk away via the main road.

Rocks

Various rocks of the

Meteora The Meteora (; el, Μετέωρα, ) is a rock formation in central Greece hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, second in importance only to Mount Athos.Sofianos, D.Z.: "Metéora". ...

rock complex surround the village of Kastraki. ;Rocks in the north * Dupiani (Δούπιανη) ;Rocks in the east * Agio Pneuma (Άγιο Πνεύμα), site of the historic Hermitage of St. George of Mandila and Monks' Prison *Kumaries (Κουμαριές) *Toichos Alpha (Τοίχος Α) *Toichos Beta (Τοίχος Β) *Toichos Gamma (Τοίχος Γ) *Toichos Delta (Τοίχος Δ) * Surloti (Σουρλωτή) *

Modi Narendra Damodardas Modi (; born 17 September 1950) is an Indian politician serving as the 14th and current Prime Minister of India since 2014. Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014 and is the Member of Parliament from V ...

(Μόδι), site of the historic Monastery of St. Modestus *

Alysos Alysos ( el, Άλυσος), also known as Altsos (‪Άλτσος) or Alsos (Άλσος‬), is a rock in the Meteora rock formation complex of Thessaly, Greece. The rock overlooks the eastern side of the town of Kalabaka Kalabaka ( el, Κα ...

(Άλυσος) / Altsos (Άλτσος) / Alsos (Άλσος), site of the historic Monastery of the Apostle Peter's Chains ;Rocks in the south *

Pyxari Pyxari or Pixari ( el, Πυξάρι) is a rock in the Meteora rock formation complex of Thessaly Thessaly ( el, Θεσσαλία, translit=Thessalía, ; ancient Thessalian: , ) is a traditional geographic and modern administrative region ...

(Πυξάρι), site of the historic Hermitage of Saint Gregory the Theologian (Ασκηταριά Αγίου Γρηγορίου του Θεολόγου), Hermitage of St. Anthony, and Hermitage of Chrysostomos.Map of Monasteries, Meteora
Baedeker, ''PlanetWare''. The Monastery of St. Apostoles (Μονή Αγίων Αποστόλων) is also nearby. * Badovas (Μπάντοβας), site of the historic Hermitage of St. Nicholas of Badovas * Ambaria (Αμπάρια)

References

{{Meteora div Populated places in Trikala (regional unit)