Kritou Terra - Part 1
Run Down Cafe
Yes, the area here has certainly seen better days. I love a bit of urban exploring though, so I will head up to check that tavern out for myself.
A big mansion, divided now into smaller houses, served as a summer house for the family of the dragoman Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios, and if you follow the main road, at the back of a small yard you will find the residence of archbishop Damaskinos - just two of the many great historical figures who originated from Kritou Terra.
Inside
I was surprised with what I found inside. It still has lots of tables and chairs, and a notice board, but there is a fairly thick layer of dust.
A little further above, the river of Kremmiotis, one of the four rivers that pass through the village, powered four mills. Today the river is a visitors' attraction, with its waterfall and the rich vegetation around it, and a meeting point for all kinds of birds. An idyllic natural scenery in constant motion, where life persists and life is worshipped.
Kitchen Sink
There were lots of pots and pans in the kitchen, though it wasn't particularly clean...
This particular landscape of Kritou Terra, with the wide variety of natural reserves, the species of flora and fauna that, in many cases, are only found here, makes it an ideal host for the Environmental Studies Centre, which since 1995 is housed at the old primary school. The Centre recives thousands of students each year and was one of the reasons Kritou Terra became more widely knwon, the area was brought back to life, its monuments, its attractions, its building and public spaces have been restored. Among them was the medieval church of Agia Aikaterini Fytefkia (15th century), which stands out from the many churches and chapels of the village. Some elements of its architecture, like the white domes and the arches, examples of harmony and minimal aesthetics, gave inspiration to the architects of the famous Anassa hotel.
Abandoned Or Off Season?
Does anybody know when this place was last open? It raises an interesting point about the village. Once I have finished with the text from the noticeboard I will get onto it.
There are more than 17 churches, chapels and remains in Kritou Terra. The two most significant temples are the one dedicated to Panagia Chryseleousa, which was built in 1804 by dragoman Kornesios, Agia Paraskevi (12 century) which displays Armenian architectural influences and Saint Catherine of Fytefkia (15th - 16th centuries).
Overgrown
It's a shame, because this must have been really nice when it was maintained.
The end of your tour brings you to the new square of the village and at this point you redefine simple, pure pleasures, re-examine your needs and values, remember that you had your smartphone on you the whole time but didn't care to check it, and you still don;t. Beyond the yard of the Erotokritos tavern lays the unique nature of the place, wild, untamed, breathing and giving, hugging a few stone buildings, spreading before you an inconceivable view. This is Kritou Terra. The place where history meets the beauty of the Cypriot nature.
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Simou
As promised at the end of our last blog about Skarfos Bridge, we now take a lot at the village of Skarfos, nestled 16km oustide of Polis, and see what it has to offer.
Kritou Tera Spring Flowers
Cyprus is in bloom at the moment. To see it, you only need to get in a car and drive out into the countryside. We did just that, and headed to the countryside around Kritou Tera...Related Pages
MapKritou Terra - Part 1
These days Kritou Terra is most famous for its waterfall. If you decide to visit it be sure to allow time to have a wander around the village itself though. There is plenty to see, as we shall show you over the course of this two-part article.
Good Pages To Visit
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eBookCyprus Road Trip 01: the Kathikas - Panagia Loop
Let me take you on a journey around the region of Paphos, Cyprus. Starting at Paphos itself, we travel to Akoursos, then Kathikas, Kritou Terra and Simou. We continue past Lasa and Kannaviou, before taking in the delights of Panagia. Getting a bit more adventurous, we visit the abandoned villages of Statos and Agios Fotios, before passing through Choulou, Letymbou and Polemi, and rejoining the main Paphos - Polis road.
The route is suitable for all types of vehicle, and requires no off-roading. The guide contains about 130 photographs including shots of all the road signs you need to pay attention to, as well as some of the highlights you may experience along the way.
There are also several maps which will help you keep your bearings.
You can do this journey in a day, or you can break it up into chunks. You can also do it in reverse, to get some completely different views. It is entirely up to you.
