Gerani Crete

Gerani, Crete: A small coastal village with a beautiful beach and
interesting surroundings.

Gerani, Crete, is a small
coastal village located between Platanias and Maleme. Gerani actually consist
of two settlements: the Kato Gerani settlement, or lower Gerani, and the Ano
Gerani settlement, about one kilometer to the south.

Gerani, Crete, is located about 15 kilometers west from Chania
city, on the road to Kissamos. It is considered a rich village, known for its
agricultural products like oranges, olive oil and wine.

Gerani, Crete in history

Gerani,
Crete has a long and rich history. Some archaeologists believe that here was
the exact location of ancient Kidonia, one of the most powerful cities in
ancient Minoan years, and that an impressive temple of the goddess Vritomartis
was built here.

During the
Ottoman occupation, a severe fighting took place here between Cretans and the
Ottoman army, in 1867, the year of the Cretan revolution. Ioannis
Papadogeorgakis, one of the most famous Cretan revolutionists (or “chainides”,
as they were called) was born here. Due to his birthplace, he was also known as
“geraniotis”.

Sights in and around Gerani, Crete

One of the
must-sees of Gerani, Crete is, of course, the beautiful local beach. Gerani beach
is a sandy beach about 2,5 kilometers long, with trees all around. The beach is
usually not crowded, but it is relatively organized, featuring facilities like
sun beds, parasols, shower, W.C. etc.

Close to the
beach of Gerani, Crete, you can find most of the village’s amenities, like
traditional and modern taverns, cafés, bars, shops and mini markets.

The local
villages around Gerani, Crete, are worth a visit. Ano Gerani, Modi, Loutraki,
Manoliopoulo, are all traditional, picturesque small villages, characteristic
of rural West Crete, and are all located in a radius of 10 kilometers or less. The
surrounding nature is rich in vegetation and big trees, like cypresses, plane
trees and orange trees.

An
interesting sight is the Monastery outside Ano Gerani. Also, between Gerani and
Modi villages there is an old house, now partly ruined, where, as a plaque
reminds the visitor, the famous Cretan writer Ioannis Kondilakis served as a
teacher at the beginning of his journey in the world of words.

Between the
villages of Gerani and Manoliopoulo, you can find the small church of Panagia
(Virgin Mary). Here, a well known local feast takes place on September 8th of
each year.

Finally,
another interesting sight near Gerani, Crete is the location of Kastellos and
Agios Georgios, the twin peaks of a hill between Vrisses and Kufos villages,
under which the river Platanias flows (Platanias river was mentioned by Homer
as Iardanos river). The peak of Agios Georgios has been named by the homonymus
church (which means Saint George in Greek)

Gerani, Crete, is a
place with green, tranquil surroundings, a beautiful beach, and interesting
traditional villages all around. A short visit to Gerani, Crete, and the area around the village, can get you in touch
with the rural, more traditional side of West Crete.

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