Patmos

Patmos is an island located on the northern part of the Dodecanese archipelago in the Aegean Sea. It is also called as ‘Jerusalem of the Aegean’ and was declared as a ‘Holy Island’ by the Greek government in 1983. Read on to know why!

History

According to Greek mythology, the island came into being due to the intervention of Goddess Artemis. It was initially a sunken island which then rose above the surface after Zeus, the prime Olympian God agreed to Artemis’s desire to let the island rise. Due to this, the locals named the island as ‘Letois’ in honour of Artemis – the daughter of Leto. It was later renamed as Patmos.

Patmos plays a significant role in Christianity as it was mentioned in the ‘Book of Revelation’ by John the Apostle. Due to this, the island frequently sees a flock of Christian pilgrims.

Over the centuries, the island was occupied by the Byzantines, Ottomans, Italians and Germans.

Towns of Patmos

Patmos, the capital, is set on a hill on the southern part of the island. It houses the famous Monastery of St. John and offers splendid panoramic views of the town and sea. A little further away from the capital, lies the charming village of Kambos on the mountain slopes. Grikos, located on the coast is a popular spot for tourists and has great beaches. Skala is the main port and the largest settlement on the island. It is located on a bay and the waterfront is bounded by multiple restaurants and cafes, making it a great place to sample the local cuisine. Skala also houses beautiful churches and offers boat trips to nearby islets.

Monastery of St. John

Above the rows of white buildings, the Monastery of St. John stands out with its fortress-like architecture. The monastery was fortified to shield from attacks and sits high on a hill – visible from almost every part of the island.

It was built in 1088 by St. Christodotus, a Greek monk and over the centuries, several buildings were added to the complex. The original structures like the chapel of St. John, the kitchen, the library, a few cells and the cistern stand strong till date. 

Cave of Apocalypse

It is strongly believed by followers of Christianity that the ‘Book of Revelation’, the last chapter of the New Testament, was written in this cave by John the Apostle. In 95 AD, St. John was exiled to Patmos by the Roman emperor Titus Flavius. While he resided in this cave, God spoke to St. John and revealed the fate of the world – the Apocalypse.

In the 17th century, the chapel of St. Anne was built enclosing this site. You can visit the cave and a monk will guide you through it. The cave is said to possess a powerful energy which remains a mystery till date. No one has been able to explain the science behind this energy and followers of Christianity strongly believe it is a religious factor.

Beaches

Patmos has multiple beaches with unique landscapes and stunning colours of the waters. Kampos, Skala, Livadi, Geranou and Agriolivado are the best organised beaches with tavernas, sunbeds, umbrellas and water sports. Psili Ammos, Agios Nikolaos, Diakofti, Vagia and Alikes are unorganised and secluded beaches with a serene atmosphere. Lambi beach is the most beautiful of all, with its multi-coloured pebbled shore in shades of yellow, orange and red.

Why should you visit?

You don’t need to be an ardent devotee of Christianity to visit Patmos – the fact that the end of the world was predicted here is enough to draw you in. Apart from its religious significance, the island has an exquisite coastline, making it a paradise for beach lovers.