In the location “Kritziana” of Epanomi, an area between Epanomi and N. Irakleia, is the Metochi of Agia Anastasia, one of the few monuments of the medieval settlement of Kritziana. It was built in a fortified manner, in a position where it could control the entire surrounding land. At the same time, it remained invisible from the sea, as at the time it was built (1530) pirate raids were a frequent occurrence in the area.
The building complex, parts of which survive today in good condition, consists of the central tower house, the church, cells, a bakery, a cookhouse, a barn and two defensive towers. The church in the enclosure was a small one-room basilica. In 1965, in an attempt to build a new church, it was demolished from the foundation as well as the top floor of the tower. In 1976 and 1986-87 rescue work was carried out by the archaeological service.
After the tour of Metochi, the visitor can make a stop under the foliage of the large plane tree. And admire at the same time a monument of nature that is estimated to be a thousand years old.
