Trikala of Thessaly is one of the most beautiful Greek cities and one of the few blessed with a river running through it, giving it more… European air. It’s no wonder many call it the “Amsterdam of Greece“, also due to its bicycle culture. In any case, Trikala, aside from being wonderful, is also a popular destination for short holidays or weekend getaways, all year round. But how much do you know about this Thessalian gem? Let’s explore because there’s something unique about Trikala that you rarely encounter in Greece!
→Trikala: One of the oldest cities in Europe
The 9+1 things worth knowing about Trikala
The Ottoman Twin Bath
On the ground floor of the old city prison building, the twin Ottoman bath was discovered after excavations. This imposing structure has stood since the 16th century and is located next to the river Litheos. Named the “twin bath” because men and women could visit it separately—men entered from the south side and women from the north—the original domed housing was completely destroyed when it was converted into state prisons.
The bridge between Trikala and the Seine
The central pedestrian bridge of Litheos was built in late 1888 by French engineers, based on designs of bridges over the Seine, with metal materials transported from France. This bridge is used to connect the old with the new city, serving as the main connecting bridge of Trikala. At the time of its construction, it was a “masterpiece and marvel”. In 1996, it was declared a historical monument by the State.
The “Asclepieion of Trikala”
In Trikala, according to Strabo, Asclepius, the father of medicine, was born on the banks of Litheos. In Ancient Trikki, there was one of the oldest and most famous Asclepieia. Parts of Ancient Trikki have been revealed since the late 19th century through rescue excavations. Today, the archaeological site known as the “Asclepieion of Trikala” is located in the city’s center, about 150 meters from the main square. Architectural remains from the late Hellenistic to the Middle Byzantine period are preserved, showcasing the long history of the place.
The famous city clock and the wrong time
The famous clock of Trikala is well-known and admired by all who see it. However, few know the story of the clock and the wrong time it showed for many years. In April 1941, a Nazi bombing damaged the clock, stopping its indicators and shattering its glass protection. When the clock was repaired, it ran 4 minutes fast and continued to do so for years. Now fully functional, it shows the correct time and its tower serves as an exhibition space.
Tsitsanis, the pride of Trikala
The great rebetis of the Greek music scene, Vasilis Tsitsanis, was born and raised in Trikala in 1915. Although his father came from Epirus and arrived in Trikala in 1900, Tsitsanis became a local legend. Today, the Research Center and Vasilis Tsitsanis Museum operate on the upper floor of the old prison, dedicated to his life and work.
The story of Sakaflias
The well-known song to the Greeks of Vasilis Tsitsanis, “In Trikala in the two straits they killed Sakaflias” was recorded in 1939 and dedicated to George Sakaflias, a notorious villain from Athens. His real name was Charilaos Charalambous. In 1926, at 27, he was arrested and transferred to Trikala’s prison, where he was later killed. The song immortalized his story, making him a legend.
Place of great musicians
Trikala has produced many great singers and composers, including Apostolos Kaldaras, Dimitris Mitropanos, and Kostas Virvos. The city also produced notable politician Evangelos Averoff.
The Mill of Elves
It was December 9, 2011, when the magical transformation of Matsopoulos Mill into the largest Christmas theme park in Greece, the Mill of Elves, took place. The old chimneys started bustling with activity, and since then, they have been working tirelessly every Christmas. The Mill of Elves has now gained a reputation that extends beyond Greece’s borders. Matsopoulos Mill, which operated from 1884 to 1984, was the first industrial flour mill built in Greece and the largest in the Balkans. It stands today as one of the most significant industrial heritage monuments in the country.
Greece’s worst deadly natural disaster
In 1907, Trikala experienced one of Greece’s most devastating natural disasters. On June 4, 1907, the river Litheos flooded, leading to over 100 recorded deaths. Reports suggested that hundreds of people went missing. The fierce storm that hit the city had a localized character, with rainfall almost exclusively within the river basin of the Litheos River and neighboring areas, leaving behind incalculable damage, countless dead, and thousands of homeless individuals. Interestingly, the areas around the Fortress were spared from the catastrophic flood.
The city that loves cycling
Trikala is renowned for its vibrant cycling culture, with thousands of bicycles flooding the streets daily. Both residents and visitors use bicycles in their daily lives, even as a primary means of transportation. It is estimated that there are over 30,000 bicycles in Trikala, equating to 1 bicycle per 2.5 inhabitants. One unique type of bicycle you’ll encounter in the city is the Matrakas. This antique model, widely used in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, has become popular once again.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Trikala is called the Amsterdam of Greece because it's one of the few Greek cities blessed with a river (Litheos) running through it, giving it a distinctly European atmosphere. The city is also famous for its strong bicycle culture, which further resembles the Dutch city.
The Ottoman Twin Bath is a 16th-century structure discovered on the ground floor of the old city prison building in Trikala. It was named 'twin bath' because it allowed separate access for men and women—men entered from the south side and women from the north. The original domed housing was destroyed when the building was converted into state prisons.
The central pedestrian bridge of Litheos was built in late 1888 by French engineers based on designs of bridges over the Seine, with metal materials transported from France. It connects the old with the new city and was considered a 'masterpiece and marvel' at the time. In 1996, it was declared a historical monument by the Greek State.
The Asclepieion of Trikala is an ancient archaeological site located 150 meters from the main square, where Asclepius, the father of medicine, was reportedly born according to Strabo. It was one of the oldest and most famous Asclepieia in Ancient Trikki, with architectural remains preserved from the late Hellenistic to Middle Byzantine period.
Vasilis Tsitsanis was a great rebetis (Greek folk musician) born and raised in Trikala in 1915. He became a local legend and is considered a pride of the city. Today, the Research Center and Vasilis Tsitsanis Museum operate on the upper floor of the old prison, dedicated to his life and musical work.
Trikala's famous clock was damaged during a Nazi bombing in April 1941, which stopped its indicators and shattered its glass protection. After repairs, it ran 4 minutes fast for many years before being fully restored to show the correct time. Today, its tower serves as an exhibition space and remains an admired landmark.
George Sakaflias (real name Charilaos Charalambous) was a notorious villain from Athens who was arrested in 1926 at age 27 and transferred to Trikala's prison, where he was later killed. His story was immortalized in Vasilis Tsitsanis's famous 1939 song 'In Trikala in the two straits they killed Sakaflias,' making him a legend in Greek culture.
