Castle of Trikala

The castle of Trikala is located at the north-eastern side of the town. According to Prokopios, it was built by the Emperor Justinian I (6th century) in the place of the ancient acropolis of Trikki. During the palaiologeian period it underwent extensive renovation. During the years of the Turkish domination (Ottoman Empire) parts of the castle were destroyed. Nevertheless, the strategically important position of the city that was used as a forward base against the undisciplined alpine (mountain) populations in Pindos and Agrafa, forced the Ottomans to restore and preserve the existing parts. After the revolution in Thessaly in the years 1854 and 1878 it was restored many times. This castle was an important factor for the safety of the initial settlement on the roots of a hill, where it lays, over the city of Trikala.