Kritsá, Lato, and Panagía Kerá
The Byzantine Church of Panagía Kerá in Kritsa and not far from Agios Nikolaos is one of the most famous in Crete, and close by is the site of Ancient Lato.
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
The tiny Byzantine Church of Panagía Kerá is one of the most famous in Crete, renowned for its 14th- and 15th-century frescoes which cover almost every inch of its interior walls with vivid religious scenes.
It stands just outside the traditional village of Kritsá, as does the archaeological site of Lató, and a visit combining all three makes for a fascinating and contrasting few hours.
Top Tip
Don’t even think about trying to park in Kritsá. Follow the signs to the official car parks that are provided.
Kritsa
Kritsá itself is said to be the largest village on Crete, and it sits in the low hills only about 10 km (6.2 miles) inland from the busy resort of Ágios Nikólaos. It can be very crowded when coach parties descend and hundreds of people wander the steep streets searching for the best of the local handicrafts.
Weavings, embroidery, lace and leatherwear are all here in abundance, and with better prices than you will pay in shops in the resort towns on the coast. When the visitors depart it reverts to being more of an ordinary Cretan village, and an attractive one too with its backdrop of mountains and views in places down to the coast.
Getting In
The church of the Panagía Kerá is on the right as you approach Kritsá from Áyios Nikólaos and is signposted before you get to the village itself.
Panagía Kerá
The undoubted highlight of the region, though, is the delightful church of the Panagía Kerá. A path from the main road leads to the little domed white church, which has just three tiny aisles. The view when you enter is quite stunning. With the exception of the stone floors, every inch of the church is covered in frescoes.
Hidden Gem
In the central aisle of the Panagía Kerá, on the right-hand side near the door, is a delightful and moving portrait of the Virgin and Child, who are exchanging the most loving of looks.
Some of the colours now are a little dulled with time, but the images when you examine them are as vivid and as beautiful as when they were first painted, in the 14th and 15th centuries. The sheer volume of images is overwhelming, including icons of the saints, Biblical images such as the Last Supper, and graphic depictions of the punishments that sinners can expect in Hell.
Also in Kritsa
It’s worth allowing time to explore Kritsa. Also here is a small but interesting museum, the Museum of Rare and Endemic Plants, and the Kritsotopoulas Museum, a history museum.
Top Tip
Early morning and late afternoon are the quietest times to visit Kritsá. Check the opening times of Lató and the Panagía Kerá, and plan the visit accordingly.
Lato
Signposted from the village and 3 km (1.9 miles) north is the site of ancient Lató, well worth visiting both for the drive along the zig-zagging valley road up to the site, and the magnificent views along the valley when you get there. Lató is one of the lesser-known sites, with comparably fewer visitors, and is all the better for that.
Lató dates from the Doric period, which came after the Minoans and the Myceneans, when the Dorian people, originally from Northern Greece, ruled Crete and much of the Greek mainland. This began in about 1100 BC and lasted till the arrival of the Romans in 69 BC. Lató was an important city, as can be seen by the extent of the remains which spread along the hillside.
Excavations only began in 1957 and much work still needs to be done. Areas uncovered so far include the agora, or marketplace, steps that formed part of a theatre, the foundations of shops and artisans’ workshops, and what was probably the original entrance gate to the old city. The best part of the experience is simply being there, however, as the site exudes its own unique charm.
Getting Out
If you drive from Kritsa to Lato you can carry on driving past Lato for a circular route back to Ayios Nikolaos. It's a little longer but a nice drive.
Our Pick of the Crete Guides
Other Crete pages
Zaros
The Greece Travel Secrets guide to Zaros in Central Crete, including what to do, where to stay, and where to eat.
Samaria Gorge
The Samaria Gorge is one the longest gorges in Europe and doing the hike is one of the best and most popular things to do on Crete.
Diktean Cave, the Birthplace of Zeus near Psychro on Crete
The Diktean or Diktaean Cave, also known as the Psychro Cave, near the village of Psychro in eastern Crete, is said to be the birthplace of Zeus.
Zacharioudakis Winery
Greece Travel Secrets visits the Zacharioudakis Winery near Ancient Gortina in southern Crete, and does a vineyard tour arranged by our guide from Go Crete.
Lonely Planet Crete
Lonely Planet Crete is an excellent and thorough guide of almost 300 pages to the largest of the Greek islands.
Cretan Music
Cretan music is part of the island’s soul and visitors will hear live music wherever they go, with several distinctive Cretan musical instruments and songs.
Making Rakomelo on Crete
Greece Travel Secrets visits Crete and learns about making rakomelo from Jorgos Kourmoulis in Agouseliana.
Stilianou Winery near Knossos
The Stilianou Winery near Knossos on Crete uses only Cretan grape varieties, with every bottle numbered, and aims for quality rather than quantity.
Battle of Crete
The Battle of Crete during World War 2 inspired several books and took place with an airborne invasion over Maleme on the north coast of the island.
Crete’s Wildlife and Landscape
Crete’s wildlife and landscape are two of the island’s attractions, including gorges for hiking, rare raptors like the lammergeier, wildcats and ancient trees.
How to Make Petimezi
How to make Petimezi, the sweet Cretan syrup made from wine must, is explained to Greece Travel Secrets.
Hiking the Samaria Gorge
Hiking the Samaria Gorge on Crete, one of the best things to do on Crete, by Greece Travel Secrets.
Sitia
Greece Travel Secrets discovers Sitia, the main town in eastern Crete, with its relaxing waterfront, inexpensive hotels, good food, and nearby ancient sites.
Ancient Gournia Minoan Site in Eastern Crete
Ancient Gournia is a Minoan archaeological site between Agios Nikolaos and Sitia in Eastern Crete where the visitor can see evidence of a maze of back streets.
Shopping Tips for Crete
These shopping tips for Crete include advice on buying souvenirs like ceramics, icons, jewellery, leather, weavings, wood carvings, and food and drink.
Arkadi Monastery
Visiting the Arkadi Monastery near Rethymnon is one of the best things to do on Crete.
Where to Stay in Western Crete
Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in western Crete, including both luxury and inexpensive hotels in Chania, Rethymnon, and Paleochora.
Hiking in Southwest Crete
Greece Travel Secrets goes hiking in southwest Crete with Ramblers Walking Holidays based in Paleohora and hiking the E4 footpath and to Anidri and Azogires.
Elounda and Spinalonga, setting for The Island by Victoria Hislop
Elounda on Crete's north coast is a popular holiday town with a pretty harbour, from where you can take day trips by boat to see the island of Spinalonga.
Knossos
Visiting Knossos near Iraklion is one of the best things to do on Crete, and this page has a history of the site with visitor information.
Around Central Crete
This tour around central Crete lists some of the area’s highlights such as the traditional village of Arolithos, Minoan remains at Tilisos, and Agioi Deka.
Cretan Writers and Artists
The most famous Cretan writers and artists include the painter El Greco and the author of Zorba the Greek, Nikos Kazantzakis.
Keramos Studios in Zaros
Keramos Studios in Zaros on Crete is an inexpensive two-star hotel/guesthouse with one of the best breakfasts on the island using food from the family’s farm.
Best Beaches on Crete
Greece Travel Secrets chooses ten of the best beaches on Crete including the beautiful beaches at Vai and Elafonisi.
Latest Posts
-
Syros’ Hidden Soul: The Timeless Charm of Apano Meria
Apano Meria, rich in geology and Cycladic history, captures the timeless charm of the Greek islands. -
Santorini Remains on Cruise Schedules as Companies Monitor Seismic Activity
Royal Caribbean, the world’s second-largest cruise operator, confirmed it will not cancel itineraries to Santorini at this time, despite recent seismic activity on the island. -
Athens Taxis to Strike for 24 Hours on Wednesday, February 19
Taxi drivers in Athens will hold a 24-hour strike beginning at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, February 19, in protest of changes to street mobility regulations and increasing competition from ride-hailing apps. -
Kastoria’s Hidden Delights: 3 Must-Visit Stops in Western Macedonia
From world-famous giant beans and crisp mountain apples to alpine-raised beef and legendary chestnuts, Kastoria is a food lover’s paradise waiting to be explored. -
Kerameikos: An Oasis in the Ancient City
The Kerameikos archaeological site provides a peaceful escape, transporting visitors to the history-rich northwestern gates of ancient Athens. -
Greece Tops Mediterranean in Hotel Satisfaction Ratings
Greek hotels lead the pack with 87% guest satisfaction, surpassing Spain, Italy, and France, but challenges remain in peak-season management. -
Frygana Honey: The Rare Wild Lavender Honey of Serifos
The honey derived from the wild lavender of Serifos is a premium Greek product. Beekeeper Nikos Kokolakis produces one of the finest varieties on the island. -
Top 5 Archaeological Discoveries in Greece in 2024
From a mysterious Minoan structure to a rediscovered ancient city, these five archaeological finds from 2024 offer fresh perspectives on Greece’s rich history. -
Food Tours in Athens
Greekality is a Greek company offering food tours in Athens including street food tours, wine and nightlife tours, vegan tours and cooking classes. -
Patras – Pyrgos Motorway in Western Peloponnese to Open by December 2025
The 75-kilometer-long Patras–Pyrgos Motorway in the western Peloponnese is expected to be completed and open to traffic by December 2025, significantly upgrading the region’s road transport system and…
Why not sign up for our Greece Travel Secrets newsletter? Each week you'll get emailed our regular Greece Travel Secrets Magazine for news, information, and inspiration for planning your travels in Greece.
As a welcome gift you'll also get a free e-book, Heaven on Earth. This contains 19 of Mike's favourite stories that he's written about travelling in Greece for newspapers and magazines over the years.
You'll find it over at Substack. Check out one of the Archive issues to find the Subscribe button.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, but at no cost to you.
BUY A JOURNAL TO RECORD YOUR OWN GREECE TRAVEL SECRETS!
LEARN A LITTLE GREEK BEFORE YOU GO!
FOLLOW OUR GREECE VIDEOS
ON YOUTUBE
No words or images to be used without prior permission.
We do not sell personal information: see our Privacy Policy.
California Consumer Privacy Act - CCPA: Sale Of Personal Information
Greece Travel Secrets does not sell any information it gathers for any reason. It has not collected or sold any personal information in the last twelve months or ever in the past.
This website was built using Site Build It!
