Kalambaka and Meteora

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Located in central Greece, Kalambaka lies on the plains of Thessaly next to one of the most remarkable landscapes on earth.? Kalambaka is nestled in front of the spectacular rocks of Meteora.? The mountains of the Pindos range suddenly drop-off into the flat lands of Thessaly, and the rock towers appear to be arbitrarily placed on the plains.? What are even more unusual are the buildings located on top of many of the sandstone peaks.? These structures are a variety of different monasteries that monks hand-carved out of the rocks.? Throughout its history, Meteora has been not only a place for religious reflection but also a refuge for the Greek people.

Kalambaka

Kalambaka is a small town of 15,000 people that is situated next to the stone forests of Meteora.? In ancient times, the town was known as Eginio, and during the Byzantine Empire, it was called Stagi.1? When the Ottomans dominated the area, the name was changed a final time to Kalambaka (or Kalampaka) which means ?beautiful fortress.?Because the Germans destroyed most of the town during World War II, Kalambaka is relatively modern.2?? There are many hotels and restaurants and also several Internet cafes in the town.? Located in the heart of town, the Hollywood CafîZs probably the most popular of the Internet cafes.? Besides a fast Internet connection, it offers coffee, alcohol, drinks, and snacks.3? Along with hotels and restaurants, Kalambaka also offers many small shops which sell a variety of foods and handcrafted goods.? One can find honey, sweets, jams, and dairy products which are made throughout the region of Thessaly.? The production of icons is one of the main industries, and the icons can easily be found in the local souvenir shops.4? Frommer?s mentions a smal...

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...urches/Meteora/index.shtml>.

21 Protected Areas Programme. World Heritage. 8 Dec. 2003 <http://www.wcmc.org.uk/protected_areas/

data/wh/meteora.html>.

22 Meteora. 8 Dec. 2003 <http://meteora.8m.com/>. Path: Holy Ground Unchangeable and Unviolated.

23 Clifftop Monasteries of Meteora, Greece.

24 Clifftop Monasteries of Meteora, Greece.

25 Frommer's. 8 Dec. 2003 <http://www.frommers.com/destinations/themeteora/>. Path: The Meteora;?

Attractions; Index; The Great Meteoron.

26 www.meteorakalambaka.com. 8 Dec. 2003 <http://www.meteorakalambaka.com>. Path: Monasteries;

Monasteries.

27 Frommer's. 8 Dec. 2003 <http://www.frommers.com/destinations/themeteora/>. Path: The Meteora;?

Attractions; Index; Ayia Triada.

28 Meteora. Hellenic Ministry of Culture. 8 Dec. 2003 <http://www.culture.gr/2/21/212/21207a/e212ga02.html>.

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