It is situated between Kalabaka and Meteora, literally in the shade of the rocks and it is the most developed tourist village of the prefecture of Trikala. Its residents are occupied mainly with tourism and on smaller scale with agriculture. The village accommodates hotels, several camping, rented rooms, barbecues, cafeterias, as well as laboratories of hagiography.

The old settlement of Kastraki presents appreciable architectural interest. Kastraki has an old and rich history. A lot of traditional customs are maintained up to today, and the most distinguishing is the ascension with rope to the small church of Saint George Mandila. The Monastery of Saint George Mandila is located in the dent of the rock, opposite Panagia Doupiani, Eastern of Kastraki and accessible only from capable climbers.

According to an old custom, on the day of the celebration of the Saint, the young people of the village hang multicolored headscarfs and light up candles in the Abbey. The scarfs remain there for a year, until the next celebration of the Saint, and they are considered as wishes for health. 

The foundation of the monastery of George Mandila is dated back to the 14th century according to traditions, due to the fact that the monastery has not been studied scientifically yet. According to the tradition, during the years of the Ottoman domination there was a dense forest, where the monastery of Saint George is built. In this forest, the logging of trees was prohibited, even for the conquerors.

However, a Turkish soldier, fell unconscious one day while cutting a tree fell unconscious. The Turkish governor of the village believed that some ‘gkiaoyris” killed him, ordered everyone to gather in the town square. He threatened with strict punishment, if they did not deliver the murderer of his soldier to him. That moment a strong voice was heard from the monastery, which said that no one killed the soldier, but he was punished by Saint George. He would be better though, if the Turks offered something to the Saint. And immediately the Aghas’ woman offered her headscarf. 

Once someone from Kastraki took the scarf to the monastery and just when the abbot hung it on the picture of the Saint, the Turk stood up strong and mighty. Since then, it is a traditional ethim hang new scarfs in the monastery each year.

In Kastraki appreciable churches are saved built mainly in the period of the Ottoman domination:

• The monastery of Dormition of the Mother of God is aisled Basilica with appreciable murals and shrine of the 16th century. It is situated in “Adrachti”.
• The monastery of Saint Nicholas that was iconographed in 1974 is located southeast of the village.
• The monastery of Saint Athanassios is near the central square. It was iconographed in the end of the 18th century.

Mother of God Doupiani

In the end of the 11th century- beginnings of the 12th century, the small roomed temple of the Mother of God Doupiani or Zoodoxou Pigis, northeast of the community of Kastraki, was founded which was reported with the name QASTIRO in a Turkish inventory ledger of 1454/55. The Mother of God Doupiani was the first organized center of monks, where they were gathered each Sunday.

Temple of Saint Nicholas Mpantoba or Kofina

In the 15th century the temple of St. Nicholas Mpantoba or Kofina was probably founded and carved in the cavern of the rock and in the canyon that separates Kastraki from Kalabaka. This temple was probably a hermitage. In the same canyon the monasteries of St. Antonios and St. Grigorios are located.

TRY Raki and wine in the taverns and cafes.

BUY Soytzoykia squash from the residents (local specialty) and Pictures from the laboratories of hagiography.

VISIT Meteora.

DO Climbing and paragliding in Meteora, photography- video tape recording of the unique monument.

DO NOT MISS the festival of Saint-George Mandila, the events of the Carnival and the feast of wine in the end of August.

Sources:

1. Municipality of Kalabaka, between sky and earth, ver.Tsaroychas Eyag.
2. DEVELOPMENT TRIKALA-KENAKAP Ltd.
3. Personal file of Mr. Iraklis Almpanis.