Gate of Trikala - Porta Panagia Church

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Pyli Trikala is located in a beautiful natural landscape dominated by imposing mountains and the river Portaikos. It is within walking distance from the capital of the prefecture of Trikala, specifically 18 km from Trikala.

The name of the town of Pyli is due to the geographical location where it is built. It is located just before the passage between the two mountains Koziakas and Itamos and is essentially the entrance from the lowland and rural areas of the prefecture of Trikala to the more mountainous and southern areas of Pindos.

Photos from the Gate of Trikala | Area Map

The small refreshment room in Pili Trikala next to the bridge of Portaikos

It is located on the Trikala-Artas road and is a favorite stop for hikers before they reach the popular winter destinations of Elati, Pertouli and the ski center located there.

The stone arched bridge of Pyli

In Pyli, with about 2,500 inhabitants, there are several attractions that are worth stopping to see. The first is the much-photographed stone arched bridge that overlooks the Portaikos River. It is located about a mile and a half outside the gate and has been perfectly in tune with the rugged natural landscape for about 500 years after being built in 1514 by St. Vissarion.

The stone bridge at Pili Trikala and the river Portaikos

It is a construction achievement of its time, if you consider that it is 67 metres long. So after you climb to the top of its arch to admire from above, namely 30 metres, the wild passage of the Portaikos, you can either sit in the adjacent café, or shop for traditional local products from the open-air vendors lined up on the roadside or pass over the bridge on the other side of the river and walk in the direction of the Portaikos for about 1 km to the most important Byzantine and religious monument of the area of Pyli. The Byzantine church Porta Panagia.

The Byzantine church of Porta Panagia.

Door Panagia

The church of Porta Panagia or the “Panagia of the Great Gates” is located opposite the Gate, in the settlement of Porta, which was the birthplace of Saint Vissarion. It was built in 1.283 by the Emperor John I Angelos Komnenos Duke and although it has suffered several major damages since then, it has preserved several elements such as the frescoes, which are relatively recent, of the ^18th century and the original floor.

The uniqueness of the temple, apart from its significant historical and religious importance for the wider region of Trikala, lies in two mosaics of the main gate of the sanctuary. These are the full-length icons of the Virgin Mary and Christ, positioned contrary to the Christian Orthodox tradition, with Christ on the left and the Virgin Mary on the right.