Kalabaka

Kalabaka (Greek: 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.

In the 10th century AD, it was known as Stagoi (Σταγοί), a Byzantine fortress and bishopric (the name is still in use for the town by the Greek Orthodox Church).

[2] Relics of an ancient Greek temple – probably of god Apollo – have been incorporated in the wall of the town's oldest and most renowned church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

When the Ottomans conquered Thessaly, Kalabaka was placed under the administrative rule of the Pasha of Larisa and later on of the Sanjak of Trikala.

[citation needed] From the beginning of the 10th century, Stagoi was referred to as an episcopal see, thereby enjoying privileges and donations from the Byzantine emperors throughout the Middle Ages.

Besides the fields of northwest Thessaly, its territory included an extensive mountainous zone in Asia and central Pindos.

The town is situated at the foot of the Meteora massif, a region of sandstone outcrops formed by weathering along criss-cross faults in the foothills of the Chasia Mountains between Thessaly and Macedonia.

[5] It consists of the following communities (constituent settlements in parentheses): Kalampaka has two twin towns: Kalabaka was voted as one of the most beautiful places in Greece by the Skai TV show I LOVE GR.

View of Meteora from Kastraki, a community of Kalabaka on the west side of the massif. Partly visible on the right-hand side of the picture is Holy Spirit Rock.
Church of St George Oxyneias (15th century)
Holy Cross Monastery in Doliana, municipality of Meteora (17-18th century)