Kalambaka can be reached by road through Athens via Lamia, Domokos, Karditsa and Trikala. The distance to be covered is 352 kilometers. By train, the route starts from Athens and ends at Kalambaka via Lamia, Paleofarsalos, Karditsa and Trikala. From Thessaloniki, Kalambaka can be reached by road via Katerini, Larisa and Trikala. The distance to be covered is 237 kilometres. By train, the route starts from Thessaloniki and ends at Kalambaka via Larisa, Paleofarsalos, Karditsa and Trikala. From Igoumenitsa the route length to Kalambaka is about 246 kilometers and the route is via Ioannina and Metsovo. From Macedonia, the route is via Kozani and Grevena.
Kalambaka is a settlement with prosperous history and significant monuments, with the most grand of all being the Holy Church of the Assumption of the Virgin. This church is situated northeast of the settlement, at the base of the great rock by the name Agia. Kalambaka is built at the base of the rocks of Meteora at the left side of the Pinios River, at the portion where it flows into the Thessalian valley.
Kalambaka has very significant tourist attractions, viz., Aspropotamos (white river), Koziaka Mountain and Chasia. Kalambaka is well known all over the world due to the legendary monasteries built atop Meteora rocks, situated near the eastern and northern part of the settlement. The quarter of Sopotos is situated on the northeast side of the settlement of Kalambaka , which is very scenic and delimited by two enormous rocks – the rock of Holy Trinity to the east and the rock of Alsos to the north.
There are numerous churches and chapels dating back to the Byzantine period in this area. These structures have typical Byzantine frescos and other architectural patterns. The local cathedral was built in the honour of Agios Vissarios. Among these, the most significant monument of Kalambaka is the church of the Assumption of Mary, a typical Byzantine housing the twin Byzantine icon of the Crucifixion of Christ and the Assumption of the Virgin.
There are a plethora of eateries in central Kalambaka. There are numerous hotels, restaurants, bars, and gift shops that jostle for space at the main arterial. One can lay hands on the traditional “halvas” while in Kalambaka. Sarakina Bridge built over Pinios River, south of Kalambaka, dates to the 16th century. This bridge is still in use till date. A magnificent drive through Pindos Mountain range, west of the settlement of Kalambaka , is definitely worth a try although traffic snarls can be a dampen the spirit. |
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