Central Greece - Greece - page 421

It is worth a wander up to the gardens surrounding the restored Byzantine fort. An adja-
cent cafe-bar overlooks the town. Walk 400m up Sarafi from the central square and look
for the sign pointing right.
Sanctuary of Asclepius RUIN
Asclepius' sanctuary ruins are located before the turn to the Fortress of Trikala.
Varousi NEIGHBOURHOOD
More interesting is the old Turkish quarter of Varousi, just east of the fortress. It's a fas-
cinating area of narrow streets and fine old houses with overhanging balconies. At the
corner of Anagiron and Virvou, peek at the fine murals within the 16th-century church of
Agioi Anargiri . Another 200m up the hill from Varousi, you'll find the Chapel of Profit-
is Ilias .
Koursoun Tzami MOSQUE
( 8am-2pm Mon-Fri) The Koursoun Tzami was built in the 16th century by Sinan Pasha,
the same architect who built the Blue Mosque in İstanbul. The mosque was restored in
the mid-1990s with EU funding. From the bus station head south and follow the river for
300m.
Sleeping
Hotel Panellinion HOTEL $$$
( 24310 73545; www.hotelpanellinion.com ; Plateia Riga Fereou; s/d incl breakfast €45/60;
) Dating from 1914, this restored and spacious neoclassical hotel is filled with traditional
memorabilia, including old telephones and beautiful rugs. It's located just opposite the
river.
Hotel Achilleon HOTEL $$$
(Asklinniou 2; s/d incl breakfast €50/60; ) Highly professional staff and situated right on
the plaza, this large place has a 1970s art-deco touch and comfortable rooms.
Eating
Trikala's cafe life is centred on the northern end of Asklipiou and across the river in the
old Manavika district. Ypsilanti is flanked by tavernas and tsipouradhika . For quick eats,