(349km from Athens, 21km from Trikala)

One way to visit Meteora is through Kalambaka. All the way from Trikala small side-roads lead to many villages and old monasteries. Best known among these is Vytouma Monastery, on a picturesque landscape near Peristera village at the foot of Mt Koziakas. The monastery is known for its handwoven fabrics, especially sacerdotal robes.

The small town of Kalambaka is an important stop on our way to Meteora. It is built at the foot of the majestic grey rocks, at the point where Piniosriver flows down from the Pindus range.

In Kalambaka one should not miss the cathedral church of the Dormition of the Virgin (first half of the 12th century), built on a low hill. The interior contains many paintings, and particularly frescoes (1573), by the Cretan monk Neophytes, son of the Cretan hagiographer Theophanes Strelitzas Bathas. The marble pulpit, marble chest and synthrone in the Sanctuary are very remarkable.

The chapel of All Saints, with its 18th century wall paintings, and the church of St John the Precursor (Prodromos) built with materials from an ancient temple and bearing Roman inscriptions on its walls, are also worth a visit.