Kato Kria (lower Kria) is a village in the Lassithi district in the east of the island of Crete. Kato Kria is not very big and consists of (estimated) about 50 houses and a church. The village can be reached via the Sitia - Piskokefalo (exit) - Achladia - Paraspori - Skordilo - Kato Kria route. The distance to Sitia is about 25 kilometers. Upstairs is Epano Kria (higher Kria). East of Kato Kria is the Monte Forte Fort. On the road that runs along the village is a sign indicating the direction, but it is via a dirt road that is not really doable by car.
The two villages already existed in Venetian times and were then known as "Cria". The name of the village probably comes from the Greek word "krio", which means "cold". According to the inhabitants it is really cold here in winter months.
In the vicinity of the village there are various sights. On top of a hill at Kato Kria ancient ruins can be seen and a a little east of the village there are the church of Agios Georgios, Roman cisterns (water reservoirs) and the Monte Forte castle. This castle dates from the 13th / 14th century and was built by the Venetians.
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