Monastery of Saint Gerasimus, Kefallonia

The Monastery of Saint Gerasimus is a religious complex located in the Omala Valley featuring a main church, multiple wells, and underground chambers integrated into the site. Three ancient plane trees provide shade across the grounds.

Saint Gerasimus founded the monastery in 1560 and withdrew into underground caves to pursue his spiritual practice. The site endured multiple earthquakes over the centuries yet was reconstructed each time while maintaining its religious function.

The site serves as a pilgrimage destination where visitors come seeking healing and spiritual comfort through the veneration of Saint Gerasimus. This devotion remains deeply rooted in local religious practice and identity.

The site is accessible by car or taxi from Argostoli with regular transportation services available from the airport and major towns. Visiting outside the hottest summer months provides more comfortable conditions for walking around the grounds.

Beneath the church lie two underground rooms that served as the saint's hermitage, reachable through a narrow staircase hidden within the building. These hidden chambers reveal how the founder lived in isolation and devotion.