The semi-mountainous, picturesque village of Karitsa is perched on Mount Parnon, between the local mountains Tsouka, Elatia and Rachi Asfakas. Specifically, it is built at an altitude of 680 metres and has about 200 permanent residents. It is 50 km from Sparta. The village’s name probably comes from the word "walnut" (karydi).
During the Revolution of 1821, the village participated in the battles with several fighters. In 1825, Ibrahim’s troops attacked the Laconian land, where a terrible battle took place with the Kolokotronians on the mountain opposite Ai-Giannis. Many Karitsiotes (people from Karitsa) helped the Kolokotronians by killing many of the enemies. Since then, the hillside has been called "Mnimata", probably because the Turks buried their dead there.
The village is divided into two neighbourhoods, Dothe and Pera Geitonia. In Dothe Geitonia is the central fountain of the village, while there are also several old stone fountains. The cobbled square of Karitsa (which used to be a small threshing floor) is the first thing the visitor encounters when entering the village. Next to the square, the patron saint church of Evangelistria (Annunciation of the Virgin), which was built 100 years ago, dominates the area. The Monument of the Heroes is made in the church’s courtyard, a tribute to the villagers who fell heroically in the national wars. In the village, there is also the church of Agios Konstantinos, as well as four small chapels: Ai-Giannis, Ai-Nikolaos, Agia Kyriaki and Agios Dimitrios. Another attraction that stands out is Vathi Pigadi, which has a depth of over 10 metres and has existed since the Ottoman rule. In Karitsa, visitors can also see Megalo Kotroni, a large rock with an almond tree on top.
In Gounari, there is Neraidalono. It is so named because, according to the tradition of the people of Karitsi, "in those years the fairies came out of there and danced". Finally, in Zavraina, there was a multi-branched century-old olive tree that unfortunately got burned. Its trunk had a circumference of 13 metres, and, probably, it was there before the pre-Christian years. A relic symbol that was unjustly lost in the eternity of memory.
