Patmos travel guide

Patmos the island of Apocalypse ,at Patmos St John wrote the book of revelations in the famous Cave of the Apocalypse .Patmos is one of the small northern Dodecanese islands near to Leros Lipsi Ikaria and Samos.The island has beautiful beaches and is connected with Athens and the other Dodecanese island with Ferries.

Patmos was inhabited from prehistoric times. The first settlers to be reported are the Carians and later the Dorians and Ionians. During the roman years, Patmos was an exile island and it was here that John came in 95 AD as an exile and where he wrote the Apocalypse. Throughout history, Patmos was a target for pirates where they looted the island many times. During the 11th century, the monk Christodoulos received the order from the Byzantine Emperor, Alexios, to build the monastery. This fortified structure enabled Patmos to keep invaders at a distance. It was Christodoulos who also built the fortress in the neighbouring island of Leros-read more about the history of Patmos.

places to visit on Patmos. The Chapel of Saint John the Divine, built on parts of Roman public baths in Greikos. It is older than the monastery.

The Chapel of Virgin Mary of Geranos, to the east, on the hill of Geranos forty minutes walk from Vaya.
There are also ancient tombs in the vicinity.

Saint Nicolas Ebdilos or Abdilos, 3 kilometers to the northwest, is one of the oldest churches of the island dating back to late 11th, early 12th century. It was in this location that craftsmen and artisans settled with their families when saint Christodoulos brought them to the island to build a monastery. Holy Christodoulos deemed that this land would be distinct for the secular (ebdilos in purist Greek). The icon of Saint Nicola is considered to be miraculous and to have been protecting boats leading them to lee. It is said that when in danger there is a bright lights guiding boats to the port seen only from sea. The icon was brought to the island by artisans from Trebizond. There are also a few cottages in the area.

The monastery of Virgin Mary in Livadi, in the prairie of Kalogiri, 4 kilometers to the north located in a beautiful landscape. In the old days it was an ascetic seat established by monks of Mount Athos pertaining to the movement of Kolybades and it has features similar to the hermitages of Mount Athos. The main chapel of the monastery is dedicated to the Assumption of Virgin Mary.

It is worth visiting the churches of Saint Fokas and Saint Catherine in Skala next to the Patmian Home.
The Virgin Mary of Koumana, situated in the homonymous hill, exhibiting a bright cross (1780). The church is dedicated to All Saints and it was founded by Saint Notaras the Corinthian who had been accused by the Turks as the instigator of the insurrection in Orlofika (1769-1770) and had been consecrated by a high priest of Corinth.
The church of Saint Paraskevi is a 17th century building on the way to Grikos, overlooking Scala and the hills behind it. The church was built on the foundations of an ancient temple and many fragments of vessels have been found there. The icon it hosts is in a Cretan style and dates back to the 16th century.

During Easter the celebrations that take place in the monastery of St John are the most famous throughout Greece. On Easter Thursday there is a re-creation of the Last Supper by the monks of the monastery. Also, in the monastery on Good Friday, there is a re-enactment of the taking down of Jesus from the Cross. On 15th August for the celebration of the Virgin Mary you can find local festivals happening all over the island. On 13th September during the celebration of All Saints there is a festival in the monastery of Apollou in Kampos. Finally, you can find many cultural events in Patmos throughout the summer in the port of Skala.

Getting around Patmos.

Transport around the island is relatively easy. there is a bus service that goes to Hora, Kampos and Grigos. Also small boats provide day excursions and short trips to many of the surrounding small islands as well as some of its more secluded Patmos beaches.

Getting to Patmos.

Tourist information Although Patmos does not have an airport it is easy to reach by sea. Ferries to Patmos depart from Piraeus all year. The distance is about 160 nautical miles. The same ferries from Piraeus to the Dodecanese islands connects Patmos to Kalymnos, Kos, Leros and Rhodes. there are also small boats and catamarans which connect Patmos to Lipsi and Leros on a daily basis all the summer.read about Patmos travel information

Patmos accommodation

Patmos food

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