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'''Geroskipou''' ([[Greek language|Greek]] Γεροσκήπου, alternate spelling '''Yeroskipou''') is a coastal town east of [[Paphos]]. Its current population is about 7,000 and it is the second biggest municipality in the [[Paphos province]]. Geroskipou with its remarkable five-domed Byzantine church of Agia Paraskevi, and its Folk Art Museum is known for many years now for its special `loukoumi'.
According to the tradition, implied even by the name of the town, in [[Greek mythology]], Geroskipou is the place where [[Aphrodite]] had her "gardens", thus the name "yeros" from the Greek word "ιερός" which means holy and "kipou" from the Greek word "Κήπος" which means garden. Pilgrims from Nea Paphos passed through Yeroskipou Geroskipou before reaching the temple of Aphrodite, at [[Kouklia]]. Goddess, donations, sacrifies and many other activities in honour of Aphrodite were taken in that place. Even currently a cave in the town is called ''Bath of Aphrodite''.
[[Strabo]] mentions Geroskipou, calling the settlement ''Ierokipis''. Many other travellers have written that in the coastal plain of Yeroskipou Geroskipou there were centuries old olives and carob trees.
In the 11th century, the five-domed Byzantine church of Agia Paraskevi was built, somewhere in the middle of present day settlement. It is also mentioned that at Moulia, a coastal locality of the town, the miraculous icon of [[Panagia ]] of Khrysorogiatissa Chrysorogiatissa was found by the monk Ignatios, who carried it to Rogia mountain from where the monastery took its name.
In [[1811]], Sir Sidney visited Geroskipou and was so much impressed by the resident Zimboulakis, that he appointed him as a vice-consul of Britain. Zimboulakis, who was born in [[Kefalonia]], settled in Geroskipou and his duties as vice-consul were to protect the interests of Britain. The house of Zimboulakis, where many important persons were hosted, was bought in [[1947]] by the Department of Antiquities, to be conferted into Folk Art Museum.
A British firm set up a factory for silk production in [[1925]]. Hundreds of workers both from Geroskipou and the surrounding villages were employed in it. However, the factory closed in [[1952]]. It is also mentioned that at Geroskipou there was also a linen-processing factory.
The current mayor of the municipality is Tasos Kouzoupos.
==Sports==
*[[Atromitos Geroskipou FC]] currently in the [[Cypriot Football A Division]]
