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{{Infobox Greek Dimos
|name               = Trikala
|name_local         = {{lang|el|Τρίκαλα}}
|type = municipality
|image_map          = 2011 Dimos Trikeon.png
|periph             = [[Thessaly]]
|periphunit         = [[Trikala (regional unit)|Trikala]]
|pop_municipality   = 78605
|area_municipality  = 607.59
|pop_municunit      = 62064
|area_municunit     = 69.2
|population_as_of   = 2021
|elevation          = 115
|coordinates        = {{coord|39|33|N|21|46|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code        = 421 00
|area_code          = 24310
|licence            = ΤΚ
|mayor              = Nikolaos Sakkas<ref name=mayor>[https://ekloges.ypes.gr/current/d/home/en/municipalities/9114/ Municipality of Trikala, Municipal elections – October 2023], Ministry of Interior</ref>
|party              = 
|since              = 2023
|website            = [http://www.trikalacity.gr www.trikalacity.gr]
|image_skyline      = {{multiple image
 |perrow             = 1/2/2/2/1
 |border             = infobox
 |total_width        = 300
|image1             = Κεντρική γέφυρα Τρικάλων 3886-HDR.jpg
|image2             = Trikalaclocktower.jpg
|image3             = 59. Βυζαντινό ΚάστροΤρικάλων, παλιά πόλη Βαρούσι GR-E44-0002.jpg
|image4             = Ναός Παναγίας Φανερωμένης, Βαρούσι Τρικάλων 3373.jpg
|image5             = Old City Varousi.jpg
|image6             = Βυζαντινό Κάστρο Τρικάλων, παλιά πόλη Βαρούσι (27)(photosiotas).jpg
|image7             = Trikala Greece Kursum Mosque 4.jpg
|image8             = Asclepiustrikala.jpg
|color              = white
}}
|caption_skyline    = '''Clockwise from top:''' Central Bridge, [[Trikala Castle]], a street in Varousi (old town), [[Osman Shah Mosque]], [[Asclepius]] Statue, view of Varousi (old town), Panagia Faneromeni Church, Trikala Clock Tower
|city_flag          =
|city_seal          =
|districts          =
}}

'''Trikala''' ({{langx|el|Τρίκαλα}}) is a city in northwestern [[Thessaly]], [[Greece]], and the capital of the [[Trikala (regional unit)|Trikala regional unit]]. The city straddles the Lithaios river, which is a tributary of [[Pineios (Thessaly)|Pineios]]. According to the Greek National Statistical Service, Trikala is populated by 62,064 inhabitants (2021), while the municipality of Trikala is populated by 78,605 inhabitants (2021).

Trikala is a lively Greek city with picturesque monuments and old neighborhoods with traditional architecture. The city is near [[Meteora]] and also near the mountain range of south [[Pindus]], where there are many destinations (i.e. Pyli's stone bridge, Elati, Pertouli, Palaiokarya's stone bridge and waterfall, Pertouli Ski Center etc.).<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://madeintrikala.gr/en/trikala-city/|title = Trikala City - Η Πόλη του Ασκληπιού - Νομός Τρικάλων}}</ref>

==Name==
The city's name derives from the ancient ''Trikka'' or ''Trikke'' ({{langx|grc|Τρίκκα}} or {{lang|grc|Τρίκκη}}), which was itself named after a nymph that was a daughter of [[Peneus]] or [[Asopos]]. The name ''Trikala'' appears in the [[Byzantine]] period. In [[Turkish language|Turkish]], the city is known as {{lang|tr|Tırhala}}. In [[Aromanian language|Aromanian]] it is known as {{lang|rup|Trikolj}}.

==History==

===Antiquity===
{{Coin image box 1 double
| header =[[Silver]] [[Dram (unit)|hemidrachm]] struck in Trikka 440-400 BC.
| image =File:AR hemidrachm of Trikka.jpg
| caption_left = '''[[Obverse and reverse|O:]]''' naked [[Ancient Thessaly|Thessalian]] youth restraining forepart of unruly prancing [[bull]]
| caption_right = '''[[Obverse and reverse|R:]]'''forepart of bridled prancing [[horse]]
| width = 270
| position = right
| margin = 4
}}
[[File:Asclepiustrikala.jpg|thumb|A statue of [[Asclepius]]]]

The region of Trikala has been inhabited since [[prehistoric]] times. The first indications of permanent settlement have been uncovered in the cave of Theopetra, and date back to approx. 49,000 BC. [[Neolithic]] settlements dating back to 6,000 BC have been uncovered in Megalo Kefalovriso and other locations.

The city of Trikala is built on the ancient city of Trikka or Trikke, which was founded around the 3rd millennium BC and took its name from the nymph Trikke, daughter of [[Peneus]], or according to others, daughter of the river god [[Asopus]]. The ancient city was built at a defensive location in between the local hill and the river Lithaios. The city became an important center in antiquity and it was considered to be the birthplace and main residence of the healing god [[Asclepius]].{{citation needed|date=May 2022}} The city exhibited one of the most important and ancient of Asclepius' healing temples, called ''[[asclepeion|asclepieia]]''. The city is mentioned in [[Homer]]'s ''[[Iliad]]'' as having participated in the [[Trojan War]] with thirty ships under Asclepius' sons [[Machaon (physician)|Machaon]] and [[Podalirius]]. In the [[Mycenaean Greece|Mycenean]] period, the city was the capital of a kingdom, and later it constituted the main center of the Thessalian region of Estaiotis, which occupied roughly the territory of the modern [[Trikala Prefecture]].

In historical times, the city of Trikke and the surrounding area experienced prosperity. It fell to the [[Achaemenid Persia]]ns in 480 BC, while ten years later it joined the Thessalian monetary union. In 352 BC it was united with the [[Macedonia (ancient kingdom)|Macedonia]] of [[Philip II of Macedon|Philip II]]. The city became a location of hard battles between Macedonia and Rome. While [[Philip V of Macedon]] and his son [[Perseus of Macedon|Perseus]] tried to keep the city, after 168 BC it fell to the [[Roman Republic]].

=== Middle Ages ===
[[File:PartOfTheCastle ByzantineCastleOfTrikala.jpg|thumb|Inside the Byzantine [[Trikala Castle|castle]]]]
While the area was considered to be firmly under the rule of the [[Byzantine Empire]], it was invaded nevertheless by a succession of  raiders and nomadic tribes. Some of these tribes that raided the area include: [[Goths]] (396), [[Huns]] (447), [[Slavs]] (577), [[First Bulgarian Empire|Bulgarians]] (986–1000), [[Normans]] (1082/3), [[Catalan Company|Catalans]] (1309–1311).

The current name of Trikala first appears in the 11th-century ''[[Strategikon of Kekaumenos]]'', where "Trikalitan [[Vlachs]]" are mentioned, and then in the early 12th-century ''[[Alexiad]]'' of [[Anna Komnene]].<ref name="ODB">{{ODB | last = Gregory | first = Timothy E. | title = Trikkala | pages = 2115–2116 }}</ref> Later in the century, the Arab traveller and geographer [[al-Idrisi]] recorded the town as "an important agrarian center with abundant vineyards and gardens" (T.E. Gregory).<ref name="ODB"/>

After the dissolution of the Byzantine state by the [[Fourth Crusade]] in 1204, Trikala does not appear to have fallen into [[Frankokratia|Frankish]] hands, but became part of the [[Despotate of Epirus]]. Epirote rule lasted until 1259, when the town was taken without resistance by the [[Empire of Nicaea]] (after 1261 the renewed Byzantine Empire) following the [[Battle of Pelagonia]].<ref name="ODB"/> In the early 14th century the town was the capital of a semi-independent domain under the ''[[sebastokrator]]'' [[Stephen Gabrielopoulos]], which extended across much of western [[Thessaly]] and [[Macedonia (Greece)|Macedonia]]. After his death in 1332/3 the city, along with most of Gabrielopoulos' lands, was seized by the Epirote ruler [[John II Orsini]], but he was in turn expelled and the area incorporated into the Byzantine Empire by [[Andronikos III Palaiologos]].<ref name="ODB"/><ref>{{cite book | first = John Van Antwerp | last = Fine | title = The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest | publisher = University of Michigan Press | year = 1994 | isbn = 978-0-472-08260-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hh0Bu8C66TsC |pages=246, 252–253}}</ref>

In 1348, Thessaly was conquered by [[Stefan Dušan]] and incorporated into the newly established [[Serbian Empire]]. The Serbian general [[Preljub]] was made the region's governor, and established himself at Trikala. In 1359, Dušan's half-brother [[Symeon Uroš]] established his court at Trikala, and in 1366/7 he founded the [[Meteora monasteries]] nearby. Symeon was succeeded by his son [[John Uroš]], and he in turn by the local magnates [[Alexios Angelos Philanthropenos]] and [[Manuel Angelos Philanthropenos]], who ruled until the Ottoman conquest of Thessaly in 1393/4.<ref name="ODB"/><ref>{{cite book | first = John Van Antwerp | last = Fine | title = The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest | publisher = University of Michigan Press | year = 1994 | isbn = 978-0-472-08260-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hh0Bu8C66TsC |pages=320, 352–353}}</ref>

=== Ottoman period ===
[[File:Trikala Greece Kursum Mosque 4.jpg|thumb|[[Osman Shah Mosque]]]]
[[File:Βαρούσι_Τρικάλων_06.jpg|thumb|200px|A street in Varousi]]

Under Ottoman rule, the city was called ''Tırhala''. Its fortunes in the early period of Ottoman rule are unclear: it is reported as being part of a large ''[[sanjak]]'' under Ahmed, the son of [[Evrenos Bey]], but in the early 15th century it formed part of the domain of [[Turahan Bey]], who brought in Muslim settlers and granted privileges to the local Greek population. Turahan and his son and successor, [[Turahanoğlu Ömer Bey|Ömer Bey]], erected many buildings in the city, helping it, in the words of the historian Alexandra Yerolimpos, to "[acquire] the appearance of a typical Ottoman town, with mosques, ''[[medrese]]s'', a ''[[Turkish bath|hammam]]'', ''[[imaret]]'', [[caravanserai|''khan'' and ''karwansaray'']] extending beyond the citadel and the Varoussi (Varosh) quarter which remained Christian".<ref name="EI2-Tirhala">{{EI2 | volume = 10 | title = Tirḥāla | first = Alexandra | last = Yerolimpos | pages = 539–540 | url = http://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-of-islam-2/tirhala-SIM_7566}}</ref>

As the administrative center of the local province (the [[Sanjak of Trikala]]), the city attracted Muslim immigrants and had large Muslim and Jewish communities: in the 1454/5 census, the city had 2,453 inhabitants (251 Muslim families and 9 widows, and 212 Christian families and 73 widows); in 1506, the city numbered 3,100 inhabitants, with 260 Muslim, 310 Christian and 19 Jewish families; in 1520/38, the number had risen to 301 Muslim, 343 Christian, and 181 Jewish families.<ref name="EI2-Tirhala"/> The city also became an important intellectual center during these years (1543–1854) with the Trikke School (and later Greek School), where famous intellectuals of the time, such as [[Dionysius the Philosopher]], taught. Christian children from Trikala also became [[Janissaries]]. According to the 1603-4 "eşkal defter" Christian boys from the villages around the town were included in the batch that the Turnacıbaşı, the Chief collection officer levied.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Yılmaz |first=Gülay |date=2015-12-01 |title=The Devshirme System and the Levied Children of Bursa in 1603-4 |url=https://belleten.gov.tr/doi/10.37879/belleten.2015.901 |journal=Belleten |language=tr |volume=79 |issue=286 |pages=901–930 |doi=10.37879/belleten.2015.901 |issn=0041-4255|url-access= }}</ref>

The 17th-century Ottoman traveller [[Evliya Çelebi]] reports that the city had 2,300 houses divided into sixteen Muslim and eight Christian quarters (''[[mahalla]]''); eight mosques, of which only the city's main mosque, the [[Osman Shah Mosque]] built by [[Mimar Sinan]], survives today; four ''hammams''; six ''[[Khanqah|tekke]]s''; and the probably exaggerated number of 1,000 shops, although Evliya curiously does not mention the city's impressive ''[[bezesten]]'' (covered market) which was demolished in the early 20th century.<ref name="EI2-Tirhala"/> The city was largely burned down in a great fire in 1749, a destruction repeated by Albanian irregulars following an abortive uprising by the local Christian population during the [[Orlov Revolt]]. Despite the destruction, its population seems to have remained the same, ca. 25,000, until the outbreak of the [[Greek Revolution]] in 1821.<ref name="EI2-Tirhala"/> By 1840, it reportedly had only 10,000 inhabitants, with the last Ottoman census in 1877/8 listing 25,000 inhabitants for the entire ''sanjak'' of Trikala.<ref name="EI2-Tirhala"/>

===Modern period===
[[File:Δωροθέα Σχολή.jpg|thumb|200px|Dorothea School houses also the Philharmonic Society of Trikala]]

On 23 August 1881 with the [[Treaty of Constantinople (1881)|Treaty of Constantinople]] between the Ottoman Empire and the [[Kingdom of Greece (Glücksburg)|Kingdom of Greece]], the city passed in Greek sovereignty, along with the rest of Thessaly. It became occupied again by Ottoman forces briefly during the [[Greco-Turkish War of 1897]]. In the years that followed, Trikala played a fundamental role in the rural workers' mobilizations, in the early 20th century, against the Thessalian landlords ({{langx|el|Τσιφλικάδες}}). Trikala eventually became the city that the first Agricultural Cooperative of Greece was founded, in 1906.

Historically, Trikala and its surroundings had a notable concentration of [[Aromanians]], including from other regions.<ref>Rousiakis, Sotirios (2021). [https://www.db-thueringen.de/servlets/MCRFileNodeServlet/dbt_derivate_00053474/Rousiakis_Greek_Karagouns.pdf THE MODERN GREEK DIALECT OF THE KARAGOUNS IN WEST THESSALY]. p. 19.</ref>

The town lost much of its Ottoman and medieval buildings in the early 20th century, particularly after it was rebuilt to a modern urban plan in the 1930s.<ref name="EI2-Tirhala"/>

Trikala today is a vibrant greek city, well known throughout Greece for its river that bisects the city center and also for the historic monuments and the picturesque old town.<ref name="auto"/>

==Sights==
[[File:Savings Part Archaeological Site of Ancient Trikki.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Ruins of the ancient greek [[Asclepieion]] in the archaeological site of Ancient Trikka]]
[[File:Trikalaclocktower.jpg|thumb|200px|View of the clock tower, located within the [[Trikala Castle|Byzantine castle]] of the old town (Varousi).]]
[[File:Ναός Παναγίας Φανερωμένης, Βαρούσι Τρικάλων 3373.jpg|thumb|200px|Panagia Faneromeni church in Varousi]][[File:Ναός_Αγίας_Επίσκεψης,_Τρίκαλα_3990.jpg|thumb|200px|Panagia Episkepsi church in Varousi]]
[[File:Βυζαντινό Κάστρο Τρικάλων, παλιά πόλη Βαρούσι (27)(photosiotas).jpg|thumb|200px|View of the old town of Varousi from the castle.]]
[[File:Old_City_Varousi.jpg|thumb|200px|Traditional architecture in Varousi]]
[[File:Μανάβικα Τρικάλα 3796.jpg|thumb|200px|A street in Manavika]]
[[File:Κεντρική γέφυρα Τρικάλων 3886-HDR.jpg|thumb|200px|Central bridge]]

* The archaeological site of [[Asklepieion of Trikke]], the most significant and most ancient of Greece, according to [[Strabo]]. Trikala (ancient [[Tricca]] or [[Tricca|Trikke]]) is considered the birthplace of [[Asclepius]], a hero and god of medicine in ancient Greek religion and mythology. The archaeological site of ancient [[Tricca]] is situated next to St. Nicholas Cathedral and the [[Old Town of Trikala|old town]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://madeintrikala.gr/asklhpieio-arxaias-trikkhs | title=Ασκληπιείο Αρχαίας Τρίκκης - Ασκληπιείο Τρίκαλα }}</ref>
* The [[Trikala Castle|Byzantine Castle]], built by [[Justinian]] onto the acropolis of ancient Trikke in the 6th century AD. Later it was rebuilt by the Ottomans, who in the 17th century placed a huge clock tower, which was accompanied by a bell weighing {{convert|650|kg|0|abbr=on}}. In 1936, another clock tower was placed and today remains the trademark of the city, while offers a panoramic view to the city. Under the castle lies the [[Old Town of Trikala|old town]].
* The [[Old Town of Trikala]], which consists of the districts '''Varousi''' and '''Manavika'''. Varousi was a Christian district of Trikala during the Ottoman rule and is located at the foot of the fortress. Until 1930, this part of the city was considered as the noble district of Trikala and is now a conservation area, with a large number of traditional old buildings, built between 17th and 19th century, preserved until today. In this part are located the oldest churches of the city, built between the 14th and the 19th century, all very close to each other. Following the district Varousi up to the central square is the part of the city called Manavika, a neighborhood of the old town with a uniform picturesque architecture. Here are located some of the best restaurants, coffee shops, and  bars in town.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2014/02/17/a-proposal-for-the-enhancement-and-ideal-administration-of-monuments-in-the-town-of-trikala-part-1/|title=A proposal for the enhancement and ideal administration of monuments in the town of Trikala (Part 1)|date=17 February 2014}}</ref>
* The [[Old Town of Trikala|Greek Orthodox Churches of Trikala]]. The oldest churches of the city are located mainly in the old town, within the Varousi historic district. Those churches are: Church of Virgin Mary Faneromeni (1853), Church of Virgin Mary Episkepsi (1867), Saint Stephen Church (1882), Saint Paraskevi Church (1843), Saint Marina Church (1766), Saint Demetrius Church (1588), Church of Saints Anargyroi (renovated in 1575), Saint John the Baptist Chapel (1674), Church of Saint John the Merciful and Saint Panteleimon (14th C.) and the Saint Nicholas Cathedral. Other historic churches can be also found in many other parts of the city.
* The [[Hill of Prophitis Ilias]] (Prophet Elijah), a grove with a nice panoramic view of the city and within walking distance from the city center. On this hill is situated the church of the Prophet Elijah (built in 1897) and the municipal zoo.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.elameteoratrikala.com/trikala/see-and-do/lofos-profiti-ilia | title=Λόφος του Προφήτη Ηλία – Η ομορφιά έχει πράσινο }}</ref>
* [[Lithaios river]] that bisects the city center being its renowned landmark and the Central Bridge, built in 1886, which connects the central square with the main pedestrian street. Additional recognizable points of the Lithaios river are the bridge with the statue of Asclepius and the characteristic lush river banks in the middle of the city center.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://trikalacity.gr/building/litheos-potamos/ | title=Ληθαίος ποταμός | date=12 January 2016 }}</ref>
* The [[Mill of Matsopoulos]], which was constructed in 1884 and today is a historical-industrial building being used as a museum and cultural center. During the Christmas period, the stone-built Matsopoulos Mill transforms into the “Mill of Elves”, Greece's most famous Christmas park.
* The [[Osman Shah Mosque]] (16th century), building designed by [[Mimar Sinan]]. Behind the mosque stands the mausoleum of Osman Shah, nephew of Sultan [[Suleyman the Magnificent]].<ref name="auto1"/>
* The [[Twin Ottoman bath (Hammam of Osman Shah)]]. Built in the 16th century and probably designed by [[Mimar Sinan]], underwent many changes and different uses throughout its history. The Twin Ottoman bath has been recently restored and nowadays is being used as a museum, hosting an archaeological ceramic collection and other temporary exhibitions. The [[Vassilis_Tsitsanis|Tsitsanis]] Μuseum is located on the upper floor of the building.<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mouseiotsitsani.gr/|title=Μουσείο Τσιτσάνη - Βασίλης Τσιτσάνης|website=Μουσείο Τσιτσάνη}}</ref>
* The [[Trikala railway station|Trikala Train Station]] (built in 1886), the Courthouse (seat of the Ottoman authorities during the Turkish rule), the Folklore Museum <ref>{{cite web | url=https://trikalacity.gr/anoikto-kai-pali-to-exaisio-laografiko-moyseio-trikalon/ | title=Ανοικτό και πάλι το εξαίσιο Λαογραφικό Μουσείο Τρικάλων | date=11 December 2022 }}</ref> and many more historical and neoclassical buildings.

==Nearby destinations==

Trikala city is in close proximity of many interesting destinations in the region suitable for daily trips. The city is near the world famous [[Meteora]] and [[Kalampaka]] and also near the mountain range of south [[Pindus]] with its renowned sights i.e. the stone bridge of Pyli (16th c.), the Byzantine Church of Porta Panagia, the stone bridge (16th c.) and waterfall of Palaiokarya, Elati, Pertouli, Neraidochori and Pertouli Ski Center.

==Administration==
The municipality Trikala was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 8 former municipalities, that became municipal units:<ref name=Kallikratis>{{Cite web|url=http://www.et.gr/idocs-nph/search/pdfViewerForm.html?args=5C7QrtC22wGYK2xFpSwMnXdtvSoClrL8-SrPzKAEPjjtIl9LGdkF53UIxsx942CdyqxSQYNuqAGCF0IfB9HI6hq6ZkZV96FIukI0UzcPsWCK0LpLhpa7rhiWB4R5ntTnoWw7U8E1Amg.|title=ΦΕΚ A 87/2010, Kallikratis reform law text|language=el|publisher=[[Government Gazette (Greece)|Government Gazette]]}}</ref>
*[[Estiaiotida]]
*[[Faloreia]]
*[[Kallidendro]]
*[[Koziakas]]
*[[Megala Kalyvia]]
*[[Paliokastro, Trikala|Paliokastro]]
*[[Paralithaioi]]
*Trikala

The municipality has an area of 607.585&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, the municipal unit 69.205&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name=stat01>{{cite web|url=http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00098%20.pdf|publisher=National Statistical Service of Greece|title=Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)|language=el}}</ref>

===Province===
The province of Trikala was one of the [[provinces of Greece|provinces]] of the Trikala Prefecture. Its territory corresponded with that of the current municipalities Trikala, [[Farkadona]] and [[Pyli]].<ref name=census91>{{cite web|url= http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00086.pdf |title=Detailed census results 1991 }}&nbsp;{{small|(39&nbsp;MB)}} {{in lang|el|fr}}</ref> It was abolished in 2006.

==Infrastructure==
Trikala is home to the General Hospital of the Trikala Prefecture. The Physical Education and Sport Science department of the [[University of Thessaly]] is also located in Trikala, and was founded in 1994, with the first students being admitted in the academic year 1994-1995; it was originally housed in the Matsopoulos Park facility, but moved to the new Karyes campus in July 1999. Trikala has over 20 schools of secondary education, and a modern night technical school also functions in the town.

Trikala has the distinction of being the first [[smart city]] in Greece, integrating new technologies into the daily life of the municipality and providing government services to citizens by means of [[e-governance]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ekathimerini.com/217138/article/ekathimerini/community/the-smart-city-of-trikala-and-the-future-of-greece|title=The 'smart city' of Trikala and the future of Greece|publisher=Kathimerini|date=24 March 2017|access-date=19 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/sep/04/trikala-greece-first-smart-city-dont-need-to-know-a-politician-to-get-something-done|title=Inside Greece's first smart city: 'Now you don't need to know a politician to get something done'|work=The Guardian|access-date=September 5, 2018}}</ref> Furthermore, it is in the process of becoming Greece's first [[5G]]-ready city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news247.gr/technologia/ta-trikala-ginontai-i-proti-5g-poli.6641086.html|title=Τα Τρίκαλα γίνονται η πρώτη 5G πόλη|publisher=News247|date=18 August 2018|access-date=19 August 2018}}</ref>

==Transport==
The city is next to the Motorway 3 (A3), or the Central Greek motorway (known also as E65 highway). KTEL, which is the main intercity public transport bus service in Greece, has frequent bus itineraries, connecting Trikala with the surrounding regions, Athens, Thessaloniki and many other cities of the mainland. The city is also served by a [[Trikala railway station|railway station]]. There are daily basis train connection to [[Athens]] and [[Thessaloniki]].

==Climate==

Trikala's continental influence isn't enough for the city to avoid being classified as a [[Mediterranean climate]] (''Csa''), although with significant [[Diurnal air temperature variation|diurnal temperature variation]]. Summers are very hot, with an August average high of {{Convert|34.5|C|F}}. Meanwhile, autumn and spring are quite mild, lacking extremely low or high temperatures. Freezing temperatures occur sporadically, especially during winter nights. Occasional snowfall is observed but is generally not significant.
{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location=Trikala Castle
|metric first=yes
|single line=yes
|Jan high C=10.7
|Feb high C=14.7	
|Mar high C=17.3
|Apr high C=20.5
|May high C=26.7	
|Jun high C=32.8	
|Jul high C=33.5	
|Aug high C=34.5
|Sep high C=30.6
|Oct high C=24.6	
|Nov high C=17.1	
|Dec high C=12.5
|year high C=
|Jan low C=1.8
|Feb low C=3.9
|Mar low C=5.7
|Apr low C=8.7
|May low C=13.4
|Jun low C=18.5	
|Jul low C=20.3
|Aug low C=19.9
|Sep low C=17.3	
|Oct low C=12.1
|Nov low C=8.9
|Dec low C=5.9
|year low C=
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm=58.6	
|Feb precipitation mm=80.2
|Mar precipitation mm=76.4
|Apr precipitation mm=43.2	
|May precipitation mm=41.8
|Jun precipitation mm=33.8	
|Jul precipitation mm=17.0
|Aug precipitation mm=18.3
|Sep precipitation mm=55.7	
|Oct precipitation mm=73.1	
|Nov precipitation mm=75.6	
|Dec precipitation mm=71.0
|source 1=[http://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/trikala/] 2010-2020 precipitation ,2019-2021 temperatures }}

==Sporting teams==

*[[A.O. Trikala|Trikala F.C.]], a [[Association football|football]] team that competed in the [[Superleague Greece|Greek first division]], as recently as the [[1999–2000 Alpha Ethniki|1999–00 season]].
*[[A.S. Trikala 2000 B.C.|Trikala 2000 B.C.]], a [[basketball]] team that competed in the [[Greek Basket League|Greek top division]], in the [[2008–09 Greek Basket League|2008–09]] and [[2009–10 Greek Basket League|2009–10]] seasons. The team was dismantled following the team's relegation from the top division, and ensuing financial difficulties.
*[[Aries Trikala B.C.]], a basketball team that competed in the [[Greek Basket League|Greek top division]] for five seasons in a row (from [[2013–14 Greek Basket League|2013–14]] till [[2017–18 Greek Basket League|2017–18]]. By season 2018-19 [[Aries Trikala B.C.]] will participate in the [[Greek A2 Basket League]].

==Twin towns - sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Greece}}

Trikala is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Αδελφοποιημένες Πόλεις|url=https://trikalacity.gr/adelfopiimenes-polis/|website=trikalacity.gr|date=24 June 2016 |publisher=Trikala|language=el|access-date=2020-01-09}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Amberg]], Germany
*{{flagicon|GRC}} [[Antiparos]], Greece
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Banan District, Chongqing|Banan (Chongqing)]], China
<!--Braşov - twinning ended-->
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Castrop-Rauxel]], Germany
*{{flagicon|ALB}} [[Dropull]], Albania
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Pyatigorsk]], Russia
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Talence]], France
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Tucson, Arizona|Tucson]], United States
*{{flagicon|SRB}} [[Vranje]], Serbia
*{{flagicon|HUN}} [[Zugló]], Hungary
{{div col end}}

==Historical population==
[[File:Σιδηροδρομικός Σταθμός Τρικάλων (photosiotas) (1).jpg|thumb|[[Trikala railway station|Railway station]] building.]]
{| class=wikitable
! Year !! Municipal unit !! Municipality
|-
| 1991 || 48,857 || 74,832
|-
| 2001 || 54,605 || 78,817
|-
| 2011 || 61,653 || 81,355
|-
| 2021 || 62,064 || 78,605
|}

==Notable people==
*[[Asclepius]] (Mythical), God of medicine in ancient Greek religion and mythology
*[[Oecumenius]] (about 990), Bishop of Trikka (now Trikkala)
*[[Evangelos Averoff]] (1910–1990), politician
*[[Stefanos Sarafis]] (1890–1957), major General in EAM-ELAS
*[[Sotirios Kyrgiakos]] (1979), footballer
*[[Dimitris Mitropanos]] (1948–2012), singer
*[[Christos Papanikolaou]] (1941), pole vaulter
*[[Efthimios Rentzias]] (1976), basketball player
*[[Vassilis Tsitsanis]] (1915–1984), songwriter and singer
*[[Ioannis Kellas]] (1908–1966), aviator
*[[Sofia Sakorafa]] (1957), javelin's thrower, politician
*[[Georgios Koltsidas]] (1970), footballer
*[[Dimitrios Sgouros]] (1969), pianist
*[[Gregory Kotrotsios]] (1984), professional basketball player
*[[Kostas Papanikolaou]] (1990), basketball player
*[[Stefanos Paparounas]] (1990), diver
*Achilles Cholevas, father of Greek footballer [[José Holebas]]
*[[Kostas Fortounis]] (1993), footballer
*[[Vasilis Gregoriou]] (1965), Greek chemist, researcher, Director & Chairman of [[National Hellenic Research Foundation|NHRF]]
*[[Turhan Pasha Përmeti]], Former prime minister of Albania.
*[[Christos Christou]] M.D., international president of [[Médecins Sans Frontières]] (MSF).

==See also==
*[[Meteora]]
*[[Porta Panagia]]
*[[Pertouli]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Additional reading==
* Messinas, Elias. (2022). ''The Synagogues of Greece: A Study of Synagogues in Macedonia and Thrace: With Architectural Drawings of all Synagogues of Greece''. KDP, 190. {{ISBN| 979-8-8069-0288-8}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.trikala.net/ Trikala local portal]
*[http://www.trikalacity.gr City of Trikala]
*[http://www.trikalacity.gr/e-trikala/ Trikala wi-fi Internet coverage]
*{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Trikkala}}

{{Kallikratis-Thessaly}}
{{Trikala div}}
{{Prefectures and provinces of Greece}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Trikala| ]]
[[Category:Greek prefectural capitals]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Thessaly]]
[[Category:Provinces of Greece]]
[[Category:Populated places in Trikala (regional unit)]]
[[Category:Aromanian settlements in Greece]]