A look at the history of kalambaka

In 1995 an ancient grave was discovered at Kalambaka dating from about 2000 years before Christ. On the wall of one of the oldest churches in Kalambaka, of St John the Baptist, exists an insription that affirms the existence of an ancient settlement in this area called Aiginion.

The city was built in the same place where this ancient settlement existed. Ten centuries after Christ it was named Stagoi, with a byzantine fortress and episcopate. From this time remains only the church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary built at the end of the 11^th century, over the remains of an even older ancient Greek church maybe dedicated to the God Apollona.

Mentioned for the first time, the Stagoi was found in some writings by the byzantine emperor Leondas 6^th the Wise (886-812). In 1163 there exists a description of the Castle of Stagoi. In 1204 the Stagoi were occupied by the domain of Ipeiros. At the end of the 13^th century they were occupied by the duchy of the New Patrai. In 1334 they were occupied once again by the bishop of Ipeiros John the second, following that they were occupied for a short time by the Byzantine Emperor. In 1348 they were occupied by the Serbians of Stephan Dousan, which continued until the kingdom of Simeon Ouresi. During the turkish occupation in Thessalia, Kalambaka was under the control of the Pasha of Larisa and later the Pasha of Trikala.

Six to seven centuries ago it was named “Kalambaka’’, a turkish word meaning ‘’strong fortress’’.

A tourist from Sweden I. Biernstol (1779) notes that at Stagoi existed 10 orthodox churches and no mosque. Also outside of the metropolis existed ancient and more recent inscriptions. During the Turkish occupation there existed also a significant business centre. The area specialized in cotton and high quality silk production.

The army of Kalambaka had close relationships with those of Xasia and Pindos, many times fighting against the Turkish-Albanian forces mainly during the end of the 18^th century to the beginning of the 19^th century. In the Thessalian rebellion of 1854, played an important role Christodoulos Hatzipetros and Petropoulakis. The 1^st-10^th of May a great battle took place in which about 500 turks were killed. The city was absolutely freed on the 27^th of August 1881.

Unfortunately the city was completely burned by the Germans on the 18^th of October 1943. Most important to note is that during the German occupation the Greek resistance had control of the city.