Patmos
Patmos (Greek, Πάτμος) is a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea. It is the northernmost island of the Dodecanese complex, it has a population of 3,044 and an area of 34.05 km² (13 square miles). The highest point is Profitis Ilias, 269 meters above sea level.
Patmos' main communities are Chora (the capital city) and Skala, the only commercial port. Other settlements are Grikou and Kampos. The churches and communities on Patmos are of the Eastern Orthodox tradition. In the summer of 2006, the island's historic centre (Chora) with the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse were declared by UNESCO as World Heritage sites.[1]
Patmos is most notable for its mention in the Christian scriptural Book of Revelation. The book's introduction states that the author, John, has been exiled to Patmos, and that there he saw and recorded a vision from Jesus. Very early Christian tradition identifies this John as John the Apostle. As such, Patmos is a destination for Christian pilgrimage. Visitors can visit the cave where John saw the Revelation. Several monasteries on the island are dedicated to Saint John. The current mayor of Patmos is Tallman Kambosos. Patmos is also home to the Patmian School, a notable Greek seminary.
Skala
Skala is the main settlement on the island, and is made of up 4 areas. Netia, the new port area, stretches along the main road towards Kambos. This Marina was built in the mid-1990s due to the couple of boom years the island had in relation to cruises and yacht visits. However, that soon fell off, and Netia is now made up of a large, concrete Marina which the few Yachts share with the larger local fishing boats and a small boatyard. The opposite side of the road backs onto a mountain, which was blasted to give buildings space to develop. These include a dive centre and several restaurants. The turn from the beachfront road toward Netia is the site of John the Evangelist's baptismal font. These businesses have struggled to get off the ground, although the introduction of a small supermarket and a laundry have made this area slightly more attractive to holidaymakers but it still looks rundown and unfinished. One of the most dangerous parts of the island's road system is at the bend around the church: not a year goes by without a tourist coming to grief on a moped. Patmos is a quiet and peaceful island. Absent are many of the discos, clubs and crowds that characterize many other Greek Islands, particularly during the summer tourist season. The island also has numerous beaches and coves, including the fine, sandy white beach on the southern end of the Island, Psili Ammos, which can only be reached after a 30 minute fairly challenging hike, or by boat from the harbor town of Skala.
History
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Criteria | Cultural: iii, iv, vi |
| Reference | 942 |
| Inscription | 1999 (23rd Session) |
| Coordinates | 37°19′N 26°30′E / 37.317°N 26.500°E |
There are remains of an ancient settlement on the hill Kastelli overlooking the port of Skala. The island was uninhabited from the 6th century A.D. until 1088, when Osios Chistodoulos arrived to found the Monastery of St. John the Theologian. Infused by Byzantine immigrants fleeing the Fall of Constantinople in 1453 A.D., and Cretan immigrants fleeing the fall of Chandakas (Crete) in 1669. The island was controlled by Turks for many years, but it enjoyed certain privileges, mostly related to tax-free trade of the monastery, as certified by numerous Ottoman imperial documents held in the Library to this day. Patmos was captured by the Italians in 1912 during the Turco-Italian War. In 1915, Patmos was still under the control of the Italians. Patmos was ceded to Greece after World War II.
Patmos today is a tourist attraction because of its natural beauty and its religious sanctuaries. It was on this Island that the "Book of Revelation" was written by a man known as "John of Patmos" and stated in the "Book of Revelation" that he was in exile on Patmos when he received and wrote the "Book of Revelation"
Picture Gallery
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The church of Agia Paraskevi in Skala (front) and the Monastery of St. John the Divine -
The inner yard -
Roof -
Inside the Old Library
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Sunrise in Skala -
Agriolivadi bay
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Cape Yenoupa -
Skala in sunset, as seen from windmills -
A house in Chora -
A street in Chora
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The monument to Emmanouil Xanthos
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Windmills
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Entrance to the Apocalypse Complex, UNESCO World Heritage Site
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"I was in the isle that is called Patmos", Rev. 1:9
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Dome above the Holy Cave
See also
- Icaria - island to the northwest
- Patmos, Arkansas
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
References
- ^ UNESCO, World Heritage Site #942, webpage:WHC-UNESCO-942.
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