Kalabaka (Greek: Καλαμπάκα, Kalabáka, alternative transliteration Kalampaka) is a municipality in the Trikala regional unit, part of Thessaly in Greece. The population 11,841 (2001). The Meteora monasteries are located in the town. Kalabaka is the northwestern terminal of the old Thessaly Railways, now part of OSE. Kalabaka was voted as one of the most beautiful places in Greece by the Skai TV show I LOVE GR.The town is built on the location of the ancient city of Aiginion. It is attested since the 10th century, when it was known as Stagoi (Στάγοι), a Byzantine fortress and bishopric. Of its medieval monuments, only the cathedral, the Church of the Dormition, survives. It is a late 11th/early 12th century building, built on the remains of an earlier, late antique church.
The name "Kalabaka" was given 6-7 centuries ago. It is of Turkish origin and means "powerful fortress". It has been Anglicized variously as Kalampaka, Kalambaka, Kalabaki, and Kalabak.
On the 27 August 1881, Kalabaka left Ottoman rule to join the Kingdom of Greece.
On Thursday 23 April 1943, a battle took place in Kalabaka between Greeks and Italians in which 70 Italian soldiers died.
In 1995 an ancient tomb was found in Kalabaka dating from the 20th century BC.
1rst Day:
Depart for the CORINTH CANAL (short stop). Drive to EPIDAURUS and visit the Ancient theatre, world famous for its outstanding acoustics. Proceed to NAUPLIA (short stop) and through the plain of ARGOS arrive to MYCENAE. Visit the archaeological site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. In the afternoon (optional stop for souvenirs) depart for OLYMPIA, the birth place of the Olympic Games, through the cites of Tripolis and MEGALOPOLIS (short stop).
Overnight stay in Olympia.
2nd Day:
Visit the archaeological site with the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, the altar of the Olympic flame, the Stadium and the archaeological Museum. Depart via PATRAS (short stop) to RION, cross the Corinthian bay by the new bridge to ANTIRION. Pass by the city of NAFPAKTOS and from there on, along the coastal road to DELPHI, known in ancient times as the navel of the world. In the afternoon visit the picturesque mountain village of ARACHOVA. Overnight stay in Delphi.
3rd Day:
Visit the archaeological site, and, the MUSEUM of Delphi. Depart for KALAMBAKA via Central Greece (short stop by Lamia). Overnight stay in Kalambaka (a small town built at the foot of the majestic grey rocks and crowned by the METEORA Monasteries).
4rth Day:
Leave in the morning for nearby Meteora to visit the BYZANTINE MONASTERIES. Return to Athens passing the heroic monument of Leonidas at THERMOPYLAE.
