Geroskipou fights to keep its identity

The newly formed municipality of East Paphos has requested its name be officially changed to Municipality of Ierokipia, it emerged on Monday.

“We want to preserve the historical identity of our area, especially with reference to Geroskipou,” mayor of the newly consolidated municipality Nikos Palios told CyBC radio.

The move to change name was near-unanimous and supported by a vote of 15 for and one against, he added.

“This area is famous for the sacred gardens of Aphrodite, which is also where Geroskipou got its name,” Palios explained.

The Paphos district has embarked on a long term project to showcase the links of the area with the goddess so that visitors can understand its significance.

Ancient Greek philosopher, historian and geographer Strabo (64 or 63 BC – c. 24 AD), who lived in Asia Minor during the transitional period of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire, made reference to the Sacred Gardens of Aphrodite, believed to have been in the Geroskipou valley, close to its coast.

Palios, in his previous role previously as the town’s cultural counsellor, campaigned for works on a planned luxury hotel site in Geroskipou to be halted, while promising archaeological excavations hoping to shed light on the “sacred gardens” are underway.