Geroskipou

Geroskipou (Greek: Γεροσκήπου; Turkish: Yeroşibu) is a coastal town in Cyprus, east of Paphos. Its current population is approximately 7,000 and it is the second largest municipality in the Paphos District. Yeroskipou, with its remarkable five-domed Byzantine church of Agia Paraskevi, and its Folk Art Museum, is a popular tourist destination. It is known especially for the production of Turkish Delight or "lokum" (locally loukoumia or lukum). The town is the only place in the world which has protected geographical indication (PGI) for the popular dessert.

History

According to local tradition, and as is implied in the etymology of the town's name, Yeroskipou was the site, in Greek mythology, of goddess Aphrodite's sacred gardens. Hence its name — "yeros" (ιερός, holy) and "kipou" (from κήπος, garden) — means "holy garden". Ancient pilgrims from Nea Paphos passed through Yeroskipou before reaching the temple of Aphrodite at Kouklia.

The Classical writer Strabo mentions Yeroskipou, calling the settlement Hierokepis. Many other travellers have written that in the coastal plain of Yeroskipou there were centuries old olives and carob trees.