 Karditsa town
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Karditsa, the capital of the homonym prefecture lies in the west end of the Thessalic plain. It is built next to a tributary of Pinios, 10 km from the foothills of Pindos and in a 110 m height.
Karditsa city was founded at the beginnings of the 17th century, during the Turkish rule period. Until then, Karditsa was just a small unknown thessalic village. It is said that it was built by Turkish who couldn’t stand Agrafiotes and rich Greeks. The privileged geographic location, on the crossroad of Volos – Trikala – Ioannina, made it an important commercial center.
In 1821, many people died of a tremendous type of fever and the village was desolated. It flourished once again after the 1881 War of Independence and became a municipality in 1882.
2/9/1943 is a landmark date in the town’s history. It was then that Karditsa became the first European city liberated from German conquerors.
It is worth mentioning that Georgios Karaiskakis and Nikolaos Plastiras were from Karditsa. In a very central part of the city are put the bust Karaiskakis and the statue of Plastiras.
Today Karditsa is the administrative, cultural and financial center of the prefecture. It is a modern city with big squares and foot-walks, which in combination to the flat ground create the ideal conditions for walking and biking.
The city tour can be full of surprises. It is very impressive that the city still keeps its traditional identity alive.
Pafsilipos Park is a true ornament for the city. It is an oasis for the residents of Karditsa, as it has many trees, flowers and peacocks running among the cobblestone paths.
The park was later consolidated to Plastiras Square creating a spacious place, ideal for exhibitions and cultural events.
Right by the park is the metropolitan church of Saint Constantine, of the 19th century, with mosaics of the famous painter Dimitris Gioldasis.
Southwards of the central square is the impressive Municipal Market’s building.
It was built at the beginnings of the last century during 1925 – 30. The architecture follows that of the Hellenistic and the Roman period. It is the only architectural sample known as the “Modern Movement”. It has simple lines and symmetry to the East – West, North – South shafts. Nowadays, the building operates as a commercial and cultural center.
During your tour around the town you will be able to see neoclassic buildings of “Pallas” cinema of the 19th century and the “Arni” hotel of the 1920 with the domed-shaped cupola.
Karditsa has a lot to offer in entertainment. You will find a lot of bars and clubs with live music all around the city.
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