Gerasa

Gerasa is a village in the district of Limassol in Cyprus, and is situated approximately 25 kilometers from Limassol, over 80 km from Larnaca, some 70 kilometers from Nicosia, and almost 100 kilometers from Paphos.

Perched on the slopes of Mount Papoutsa, Gerasa, which now has only 70 residents, welcomes visitors from all over the world with its old stone bridge that crosses the river Garyllis, after which the traveler will find a sizable statue.

The grapes that hang from the vines of Gerasa among the stone houses of the village, although very pleasing to the eye, do not reflect the history of this small village.

In the geographical area where now is located the koumantarochori (wine producing village) of Gerasa, was created according to mythology one of the most beautiful forests on the island, with the God Apollo watching over it and God Dionysus to enrich it with his presence. After the defeat of Troy, many Achaeans moved to this site (Pano Gerasa), and later they were followed by those who were trying to escape the attacks of pirates, building together at the foot of the mountain a settlement and naming it “Iera Dasa” – which paraphrased, became Gerasa, and gave its name to the modern village.

Also, Gerasa and its inhabitants played a decisive role during the Second World War, when the village hosted for some time refugees from Limassol.

Today in Gerasa there are three churches, two of which are dedicated to Saint George, while there is another one, a few hundred meters away from the village, which is dedicated to the miraculous Archangel Michael, as well as a traditional tavern.