Ιερα Μονη Αγιου Γερασιμου

Iepa Moni Agios Gerasimos - Church of Saint Gerasimos

Useful Information

the front of the cave church. The end of the church is built into the cave, and the hermits cave is behind the wall on the right side.

Location:	At Platy Gialo, 3 km from Argostóli, Kefallonia. From the town center follow road to airport, over the hill. Half way to the airport turn left, signposted. 2 km steep uphill. (38.159847643719175, 20.486269126337454)
Open:	All year daily. [2021]
Fee:	free, donations welcome. [2021]
Classification:	Cave Church
Light:	electric/natural
Dimension:	Hermits' Cave: L=4 m, W=2 m.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	yes
Bibliography:
Address:	Cave Hermitage Saint Gerasimos, Cephalonia 281 00.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1560	Agios Gerasimos moved into the cave.
16-AUG-1579	Agios Gerasimos died.
20-OCT-1581	Agios Gerasimos was canonized.

Description

inside the cave church. The door at the right side leads to the hermits' cave.

The small church at the steep ridge of the Argostóli peninsula is built into the overhanging cliff. The church is proud of its history as the home of a hermit, Agios Gerasimos, the island's patron saint, who was living in this cave. The saint is said to be born at Trikala and was a member of the famous Notaras family. He became a monk and spent 12 years in the Holy Land and five years on Zakynthos. In 1560, he came to Argostoli, took possession of the cave and stayed here until he founded his monastery at the village Peratata. The cave is also know as Σπήλαιο Ασκητήριο Αγίου Γερασίμου (Cave Hermitage Saint Gerasimos).

The small church lies between the narrow and steep road and the overhanging cliff. Built under the cliff the front is parallel to the cliff, and the back wall and part of the roof is formed by the rock. The cave is not visible in the church, and the cave wall is hidden behind the altar and covered with plaster.

The church is not the place where the hermit lived. Standing in front of the altar a few steps lead up to a small door at the right side. Behind the door is a small cave, closed by a front wall with some small windows. This is obviously the the place where the hermit lived.

The hermits' cave is almost empty. Only the typical rack for the candles of the believers allows to light a candle in the cave.