Kritsa ( Κριτσά ) is one of the oldest and most charming villages in Crete. This village is located in the municipality of Agios Nikolaos . It is just over 10 km from the city. With around 1,600 inhabitants (as of 2001), it is one of the largest villages in Crete. Kritsa, surrounded by olive groves, is located on the eastern slope of the Castello (Kastello) at an altitude of about 375 meters above sea level. Currently, the village area is divided into four districts called Palemilos, Koukistres, Christos and Pergiolikia.
The history of this town probably dates back to the second millennium BC. In Minoan times it was known mainly for goat meat of particularly high quality. The name of this village, according to some historians, is derived from the word kreas (κρεας), which in Greek means meat .
This village is connected with the tragic story of a young girl named Rhodanthe who was kidnapped from home by a drunken Turkish officer. This man, charmed by her beautiful singing, decided to marry her. On his way, however, was the mother of the girl who strongly opposed this proposal. So the officer decided to take the woman by force.
The woman abducted to Turk's house did not think to marry him, so when the drunken man slept, Rhodanthe took his knife and cut his throat, then cut her hair with it. Knowing that after such an act she would not be able to return to her family home, she decided to join the guerrillas hiding in the mountains, dressing up as a young man. Since then, she was known as Kritsotopoula (Kritsy's Child). In 1823, she took part in a two-day battle taking place in the valley between Kritsa and Lato . In this encounter she was shot deadly in the chest. Comrades of arms, who tried to save the wounded Kritsotopou, discovered a mystery hidden by him (her) under his clothing.
At present, the memory of this heroine is still alive in Kritsa, and it is evidenced by the fact that the main street that climbs up the village is called: Kritsotopoula .
High temperatures prevailing in the midday hours chased Kritsa residents sitting on these chairs
Kritsa is one of the most charming villages in Crete, but to appreciate its true charms you have to leave the main streets. Deepening between dense buildings, you will discover many narrow streets whose width allows you to move freely only to scooters. Finally, we recommend visiting several stores selling local products. By the way, you can come across the Nostimon store, where you will be warmly welcomed by a Polish woman who has been living in Kritsa for several years.
Kritsa is situated between many olive groves and is of course famous for its olive oil. It is a product with one of the smallest amounts of acids contained in it. This property constitutes a particularly high quality of the oil that comes from that which was awarded at many fairs. We also recommend honey honey crayfish from local products, available at the Ewa Nostimon store. In several places you can also buy jewelry, leather accessories and footwear that are produced by craftsmen living in Kritsa.
A view of Kritsa and the surrounding hills.
Poniżej znajdziecie kilkanaście zdjęć, urokliwych i charakterystycznych zaułków tej wioski.
↤ click the appropriate part of the island to change the bottom map
Information about one of the more known tourist cities of Crete, or about Malia. Description of attractions located in the city of Malia and a description of the specificity of this town.
Kritsa is one of the largest villages in Crete. The village has a lot of shops with local crafts.
The Lasithi Plateau is located about 70 kilometers from the capital of Crete - Heraklion. The average height at which the terrain of this plateau is located is 840 m above sea level.
One of the tourist attractions eagerly visited by people spending their holidays in Crete is the Dikte (Psychro) cave. The main factors that attract people to this cave are a rich and varied dripstone robe and a close connection with mythology.
Among the olive groves in the place called Logari, which is less than a kilometer from the village of Kritsa, there is a small Byzantine church of Panagia Kera from the 13th-14th centuries.
Stalida is located directly along the coast and is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Crete, which definitely comes alive with the advent of the tourist season
Most people crossing the route between Agios Nikolaos and Ierapetra will definitely notice the large crack which is marked by the mountain located east of this road. This majestic geological creation called Ha was probably created as a result of an earthquake.
Xerokambos is a small settlement in which you will find literally several taverns, and most of the buildings are single-storey and one-story houses. The big advantage of this beach is a gentle sandy descent to the sea.
Agios Nikolaos (Άγιος Νικόλαος) is a small town with less than 20,000 inhabitants. permanent residents (according to statistical data from 2001). This city is the capital of the Lasithi nomos.
Although Elounda seems to be a sleepy fishing town to this day, however, appearances should not fool you, because this town and its surroundings can boast of probably the largest number of the best hotels.
Although Elounda seems to be a sleepy fishing town to this day, however, appearances should not fool you, because this town and its surroundings can boast of probably the largest number of the best hotels.
Stalida is located directly along the coast and is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Crete, which definitely comes alive with the advent of the tourist season
The ancient city of the LATO can be found near the charming village of Krista near Agios Nikolaos.
It is recognized that Gournia was inhabited between 3000 BC. 1,200 BC and is one of the few cities unearthed to a large extent.
Zakros is the fourth-largest Minoan palace in Crete in importance and size. This latest found, built on the east coast of the island is located in the village of Káto Zákros.
Zakros is the fourth-largest Minoan palace in Crete in importance and size. This latest found, built on the east coast of the island is located in the village of Káto Zákros.
The first palace was built around 1900 BC. in the place where there was a quite impressive settlement whose remains were later transformed into the central part of the city.
Moni Toplou (Μονή Τοπλού) also called as The Great Monastery is one of the most beautiful and important monasteries in Crete.
Moni Toplou (Μονή Τοπλού) also called as The Great Monastery is one of the most beautiful and important monasteries in Crete.
O Vai zrobiło się głośno, gdy w latach 70-tych na tle palmowego gaju nakręcono reklamę kokosowych batoników Bounty.
This inconspicuous little island located about 5 km from the center of Elounda is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Crete.
When heavy equipment entered the promontory near Sitia, no one expected that this area contained the ruins of the Hellenic city.
The abundance of water and shade mean that even at the peak of the tourist season, this place is full of lush vegetation.
At the top of a cone-shaped hill called Souvloto Mouri, the remains of an unusual building with a unique oval shape were discovered.
The ruins of the ancient city of Itanos are located at the eastern tip of Crete, less than 3 kilometers north of the famous palm beach of Vai. Although there are also nice beaches at Itanos, unlike its well-known neighbor, this place does not attract crowds. There are either accidental stray tourists or excavation enthusiasts here.
Just over 2 km from Palekastro, next to Chiona beach, there is a large archaeological site called Roussolakos
Just over 2 km from Palekastro, next to Chiona beach, there is a large archaeological site called Roussolakos
Ierapetra (Ιεράπετρα) is the fourth largest city of Crete and also the largest town located in the Lassithi prefecture.
Diaskari Beach, also known as Green Beach, is less than 3 km from Makry Gialos.
Koufonissi is a small island in the Libyan Sea, located just a stone's throw from the southern coast of Crete.
Less than 10,000 population of Sitia makes the city the smallest in Crete. Some even go a step further and say perversely that it is rather the largest village of Crete.
Napoleon's house is one of the few typically tourist attractions in Ierapetra. About what could have happened here in the summer of 1798 and possibly how much in this legend is the truth we write in the article on the page below.
Zakros is a small town on the east coast of Crete, less than 40 km south-east of Sitia.
Moni Kapsa Monastery is one of the most interesting monasteries in Crete. Its massive buildings were erected on rocky, gray slopes surrounding the nearby Pervolakia Gorge.
However, Pachia Ammos is not a typical crowded and lively tourist destination, which is not lacking in the north of Crete.
Sougia is a small town located in the southwest of Crete. This place is still outside the main tourist trail. Not counting tourists returning from the Samaria gorge, this place is visited by a few people for whom peace and quiet are an advantage and not a disadvantage.
Plakias is a perfect place for people who like to spend time hiking. In the area of the town and the surrounding area there are several walking routes marked out, which you can reach to interesting beaches or gorges. It is worth mentioning places such as Skinaria, Damnoni or Preveli beaches as well as Kotsifou and Kouartaliotiko ravines. It is also worth visiting the nearby mountain villages, from which there is a beautiful panorama of Plakias Bay.
The south of Crete in the area of the Asterousia mountains is still an isolated area, which relatively few tourists reach. Only a few places can be considered as one in which you can find the minimum necessary leisure services. One of such places is Lentas (Λέντας) located about 75 kilometers south of Heraklion.
Komentarze
Kocham Kretę :)
Witam wszystkich, którzy już znają Kretę i tych którzy dopiero się tam wybierają :)
Pierwszy raz na Krecie byłam 10 lat temu w 2007 roku.....to była Podróż Poślubna.....
Po 10 latach zapragnęliśmy pojechać tam ponownie....na 10 Rocznicę Ślubu....
Postanowiliśmy odwiedzić te same miasteczka i wioski, spotkać może tych samych ludzi , zobaczyć jak Kreta się zmieniła i zrobić zdjęcia w tych samych urokliwych miejscach.....no niestety tylko my się zmieniliśmy, trochę więcej zmarszczek i kg. nam przybyło....Kreta nadal przepiękna :)
Kritsa, urocza wioska, urzekła nas spokojem jaki tam panuje i przede wszystkim ludzie bardzo mili i otwarci.
10 lat temu trafiliśmy do Kritsy przypadkiem, zwiedzilismu Bizantyjski Kościółek Panagia Kera, przechadzaliśmy się starymi uliczkami, kupiłam sobie wtedy przepiękny obrus ręcznie haftowany przez urocze starsze panie - mam go do dzisiaj. Po 10 latach postanowiłam kupić drugi.... w tym samym sklepie :)
Oczywiście byliśmy w sklepie NOSTIMON u Pani Ewy....jak zawsze przemiła obsługa :)
Mieliśmy kupić jedną oliwę.....wyszliśmy z całą siatką zakupów :))
Nasza podróż to nie tylko Kritsa, ale również przepiękne Agios Nikolaos, Retimno plaża Vai i .... ?
Jest jeszcze jedno " dla nas " magiczne miejsce, to takie nasze miejsce na Krecie, przepiękna zatoczka z lazurową wodą , można tam dojechać samochodem - praktycznie na samą plażę, jest tam mały kościółek.....i cisza.... i spokój.....i gaje oliwne.... dla nas to takie cudowne miejsce.....wróciliśmy tam po 10 latach.....nie zdradzę nazwy, bo zapełni się turystami jak plaża Vai .....ale jak skusicie się na wycieczkę do Kavousi to powinniście znaleźć to " nasze magiczne miejsce na wyspie " :))
Takie " smaczne kąski" odkrywa się zwiedzając wyspę samochodem..... odkrywa się wtedy różne przepiękne miejsca....nie chcę zdradzać nazwy, żeby to miejsce było cały czas takie puste, takie naturalne i takie nasze.....żyję nadzieją , że za 10 lat znowu tam pojedziemy ....
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