Trikala Castle, Byzantine fortress in Trikala, Greece
Trikala Castle is a Byzantine fortress built on a hilltop with three fortification levels, featuring four large defensive towers and polygonal exterior walls with multiple turrets. The structure rises in tiers up the slope, creating distinct separated areas at different elevations.
Emperor Justinian I built the fortress in the 6th century on the ruins of ancient Trikke, with major renovations during the 14th-century Palaiologan period. Medieval rebuilding later modified the original Byzantine structure significantly.
The second courtyard contains an outdoor amphitheater built in 1988 where theater productions and concerts take place throughout the year. These events bring the castle to life and make it an active cultural gathering place for the local community.
The castle entrance sits on the west side accessible through a semicircular stone archway, while the east side has a café with stone steps for rest breaks. Wear comfortable shoes for the climb since many paths and stairs are steep in places.
The third courtyard houses a preserved vaulted powder magazine from earlier times and reportedly contains a secret tunnel connecting to a church in Kalambaka. This underground passage remains partly mysterious and captures the curiosity of visitors and historians alike.
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