Kritsa with its least 2,200 inhabitants is one of the oldest villages of Crete
and is beautifully nestled on the slopes of the mountain Kastellos. For many years the village Kritsa has been included as a tourist attraction of the area and is therefore quite busy for many hours of the day. A walk through the beautiful streets is really always worth it, and the traditional Cretan architecture of the houses has remained largely intact.
Many souvenir shops adorn the main street, but further up the mountain you are alone with the locals.
A little history
The inhabitants are mostly descendants of the emigrants of the 3km distant ancient site of Lato; from here they were in control of the plain to the sea and also abundant water supply; the fountain in the village still testifies thereof .
In the Byzantine years Kritsa flourished, and again under Venetian occupation in 17th century. It was after all the largest town on Crete. It is remarkable that Kritsa is one of the few places on the island where the Ottomans could have no foothold. This emerges from a census taken then and with the then 3320 souls living there, there was not one Ottoman. The rebellious, proud and freedom-loving people of Kritsa always found a way to prevent this.
My recommendation:
along with Kritsa attend the byzantine church Panagia Kera (before entering the town) and also the ancient site Lato, about 3km away.
