Gerani, Rethymno

Gerani is a village located approximately 7.5 kilometers west of Rethymno, near the new national road connecting Rethymno and Chania. It is situated at an altitude of 90 meters in an area with rocky terrain, characterized by the cultivation of olive trees, as well as the presence of oak and carob trees.

The wider area features a 2.5-kilometer-long beach with sand and clear water, which is a nesting site for the Caretta caretta sea turtle during the summer months.

Origin of the Name

The name “Gerani” is derived from the Greek word for a type of pump (‘γεράνι’), which was a simple method used by the inhabitants to draw water from the single well that existed in the village. This mechanism involved a wooden fork with a horizontal piece of wood on which a rope with a bucket was tied at one end and a counterweight at the other.

History

Historical accounts suggest that Gerani may have been the location of the ancient city of Kydonia, with a temple dedicated to the goddess Britomartis. In 1867, a battle took place in the area between Cretan revolutionaries and Ottoman forces, resulting in a victory for the Cretans. However, after the revolutionaries departed at the request of the locals, Ottoman forces returned, leading to massacres and looting.

The village was the birthplace of Apostolos Geraniotis, who, along with Stavrianos Bires, was a notable figure in the resistance against the Turks in the region. The village’s primary school was established in 1899 during the period of the Cretan State. The Cretan writer Ioannis Kondylakis began his career as a teacher in Gerani between 1885 and 1886.

Attractions

The Cave of Gerani, discovered on March 15, 1969, during the construction of a bypass for the national road, is a significant local site. The cave features six chambers with stalactite and stalagmite formations. Archaeological research within the cave has uncovered Neolithic-era bone and stone tools, as well as three human skeletons. It is believed these individuals were trapped inside, possibly due to an earthquake. Paleontological findings include the remains of over one hundred endemic deer from the late Pleistocene epoch. The cave is not generally open to the public.

Administrative History

Gerani was officially recognized as a settlement in 1925 and was initially part of the community of Prines. In 1932, it was separated from Prines to become the seat of the newly established community of Gerani. According to the Kallikratis plan, Gerani, along with the settlement of Petres, constitutes the local community of Gerani, which belongs to the municipal unit of Nikiforos Fokas within the Municipality of Rethymno.

Religious Life

The parish church of the village is dedicated to Agios Georgios (Saint George) and was built in 1888. Other churches in the area include Sotiros Christos (Savior Christ), Agia Paraskevi (Saint Paraskevi), Agios Antonios (Saint Anthony), and Agioi Theodoroi (Saints Theodore). The older church of Panagia (Virgin Mary) in Kamari, located by the sea, is also a notable religious site. Ecclesiastically, Gerani falls under the jurisdiction of the Holy Metropolis of Rethymno and Avlopotamos.

Culture and Traditions

On Clean Monday, an event known as the “Parade of the Camel” takes place in the village.

Settlement: Key Points

• Location: 7.5 km west of Rethymno, Crete.
• Historical Significance: Birthplace of Apostolos Geraniotis, a figure in the resistance against the Ottomans. A significant battle against Ottoman forces occurred here in 1867. The discovery of a Neolithic cave in 1969 provided important archaeological and paleontological findings.
• Notable Personalities: Evangelos Apostolakis (Minister of National Defence and Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff), Georgios Theodoroulakis (Honorary Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff), Pantelis Petrakakis (Mayor of Thessaloniki in 1951).
• Current Status: It is the seat of the community of Gerani within the Municipality of Rethymno.
• Population Data:

References

• Wikipedia