Gerani is a local community of the Rethymno Municipality in the Rethymno (regional unit) of the region of Crete established by Kallikratis reform. Previously, it was part of municipality of Nikiforos Fokas. Capital of the new municipality is Rethymno.
Geography, origin of name, history Gerani is located 7.5 km west of Rethymno and in a short distance from the new national road Rethymnon-Chania, at an altitude of 90 meters.Papyrus Larousse Britannica, Athens, 1996, Volume 16 Gerani (in Greek) refers to a pump used in the old days to draw water from a well. Such a well existed in the village.Left. Kryovrysanakis, Rethymniotikos Digest, Typospoudi versions, Rethymnon 1993, page 111 The village was occupied by the Ottomans. Population of GeraniHellenic Statistical Authority, Digital Library (ELSAT), Census (Greek and English) Name 1913 1920 1928 1940 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 2011 2021 Gerani 314 277 345 401 389 375 367 370 439 613 821 870 Petres 63 84 62 62 Total 314 277 345 401 389 375 367 370 502 697 883 932
Sights The Gerani Cave was discovered in 1968 during the construction of the new national road Rethymno-Chania.Papyrus Larousse Britannica, Athens, 1996, Volume 16 The 6 halls of this cave display magnificent stalagmites. Archaeological research within the cave has brought to light a variety of findings dating back to the Neolithic period. Some of this findings are exhibited in the Archeological Museum of Rethymno Furthermore, important material of palaeontological interest was found, dating back to the end of the Pleistocene period.
Daily life, Festivities "Parade of the Camel" takes place in the village (Ash Monday)
Miscellaneous There is public bus service (KTEL) from Rethymno ( three services, morning and noon on weekdays and not weekends)
Since 28 March 2005 the area of Gerani is included in the Cadastre system and is under the authority of the Cadastral Office of Rethymno (20 Hortatzis Str., ZIP: 74100, Rethymno, Phone n.: 0030-28310-22403)
See also List of settlements in the Rethymno regional unit
References
External links Photo Gallery, Web site of municipality of Rethymnno retrieved at 9 April 2012 Cycling routes, Web site of Tourism Promotion Committee of Rethymno Prefecture , retrieved at 9 April 2012