Gerani beach
Gerani is a small coastal village located 13 km west of Chania city, located between Maleme and Platanias. It is situated in a verdant valley with olive and citrus groves, that once were the main income source here; today tourism is the main growth factor.
The beach of Gerani has a length of 2.5 km and has lovely sand and clear water. Next to the beach there are many touristic amenities, making it ideal for family holidays. There are umbrellas, showers, beach bars, water sport services and lifeguards. Near the beach there are several tamarisk trees, where you can find shade. Those that wish to stay remote, there are some points along the coast are less crowded and are not organized.
Be careful, when being on the beach, because the sandy beach is a shelter for Caretta caretta turtle. The turtles nest in the sand during the summer seasons, from May till September.
Short area history
The name Gerani comes from the homonym very simple method of pumping water from wells, which apparently was used in the village. Next to the wells, there was a wooden fork on which one horizontal piece of wood was put. A rope was tied at one end with a bucket and a counterweight on the other end.
Gerani is believed by some scientists to have been the actual site of Ancient Kydonia. Moreover, it is believed that there was a temple dedicated to Goddess Vritomartis, the "Cretan version" of godess Artemis.
In 1867 a battle took place here against the Turks. Cretan rebels won but the residents asked them to leave their place so as Turks would not bother them. However, the Turks returned to the village and slaughtered many locals. Also, in 1885-1886, great Cretan novelist John Kondilakis started his career as a teacher in Gerani. The school still exists in Pano Gerani.
