Walk 5 - Explore Kritsa - A novel view

Visit square then with back to the Rodanthe bust exit on road running to left

The bust in this square is Rodanthe, Kritsa's famous female rebel and heroine of my novel Kritsotopoula, Girl of Kritsa. Rodanthe died in a nearby battle in 1823 while disguised as a young man.

Leave this small church via path rising to the right

This church is Agio Pneuma, Holy Spirit. When the bougainvillea next to the water tap is in full bloom it makes a lovely shady rest stop. In 1800s this church was near a mosque and used as a wash house for Muslims.

At crossed paths turn left

At the crossing of paths with a street sign ΟΔΟΣ ΠΑΠΣ ΠΟΒΟΥ, turn left

Ignore left turn and keep ahead

Keep straight over cross roads

The odd stone wall to your right, on the far side of the concrete road, is all that remains of an old water mill.

At T junction turn right

Emerge by Byzantine church, Agios Georgios, Saint George.

Ignore left Turn on map! At main road turn right for a few paces and cross road to see the fountain on your left

After exploring Agios Georgios church cross the road to see the Venetian fountain.

After the spring turn left towards Kritsa

Left up to church then right

A few paces after church and water tap turn left

In my imagination, this is the old Turk harem

Just before high street turn left. Perhaps a drink in the shady kafenion first

After a few paces turn right

Emerge by Aristidis cafe but turn left along the edge of the square

Pass under arch that most people never notice

Emerge from alley and sharp left uphill

Pass to the right of chuches

Turn right down hill to sharp bend

Emerge onto asphalt road opposite a huge water cistern and turn right downhill

Church on your right then turn down alley on left, Kritsotopoula Street.

This is the residential area known as Christos. The building to the left of the alley is an old school house.

Keep straight

Ignore streets and steps to either side This is the fountain I imagined the children queuing to use on Christmas morning in my novel Kritsotopoula, Girl of Kritsa.

Visit Kritsotopoula Museum then a few paces later, cross the square to visit Afentis Christos church.

Inside this museum you'll find Maria who will be pleased to chat about the history of the house and her distant relative, Rodanthe. In Rodanthe's time the house consisted of the kitchen and one back room, All other rooms are more recent additions. Imagine the kitchen filled by the loom - there wasn't room for much else. How scared Rodanthe must have been while hiding in the back room and hearing her mother brutally attacked and killed. Rodanthe's kidnappers bundled her away and the rest, as they say, is history!

Around Afentis Christos and retrace steps to small square

Left downhill and bear right down stepped path

Emerge from the church's alley and turn left downhill. Keep bearing right down a stepped path.

Pass round Agios Georgias for wow views then with back to church take the path ahead

At the merge of paths take the paved route left

On left church Agios Ioannis Crysostomos, Saint John Goldenmouth

Keep ahead to join Kritsotopoula Street

On the left is Rodanthi - Rose Blossom natural history museum.

Spot the nice artwork on the wall as you pass by

Pass Aga's house now taverna

Pass Thread of Life statue on your left

This fabulous statue commissioned by LATO, the Cultural Organisation of Kritsa, to take pride of place here, outside their office is called Το Νημα Της Ζωης - The Thread of Life. As you wander through Kritsa you may see older women sitting in their doorways with their crochet working on timeless patterns. When her creator the local British artist, Nigel Ratcliffe started to plan his sculpture he realised these women learnt from their grandmothers, who had learnt from their grandmothers, and so on back through time. This piece of art celebrates every woman who has ever lived in Kritsa

Pass to the left of the V shaped kafenion

Then on downhill

The large church on your left is open to visitors except during services.

Turn right to visit Kritsa's first school

The stone waist and scroll denote it was built by permission of Turks

At T junction turn left

The car par is ahead of you