Kalambaka Καλαμπάκα |
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The city of Kalabaka as seen from Meteora. |
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Location | |
Kalambaka
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Coordinates | |
Location within the region
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Government | |
Country: | Greece |
Region: | Thessaly |
Regional unit: | Trikala |
Population statistics (as of 2001) | |
Municipality | |
- Population: | 27,555 |
- Area: | 1,650.2 km2 (637 sq mi) |
- Density: | 17 /km2 (43 /sq mi) |
Municipal unit | |
- Population: | 11,841 |
Community | |
- Population: | 7,721 |
Other | |
Time zone: | EET/EEST (UTC+2/3) |
Auto: | ΤΚ |
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.[1]
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The municipality Kalabaka was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 8 former municipalities, that became municipal units:[2]
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.[3]
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.
Kalabaka is a twin town with Schwabach, Germany.
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