And here we are at Patmos island, an extraordinary destination! It is located in the Dodecanese Archipelago, in the northeast, under Icaria, near ipsi and the small but wonderful Fourni island.

Religious importance of Patmos
It is considered a very important point for the Orthodox Religion, right here St. John the Evangelist wrote the Apocalypse, the last book of the New Testament. A place with an almost suffocating mystical weight that attracts pilgrims from every corner of the world. Being a great symbol of Christianity, it is called “The Jerusalem of the Aegean”.

Wild nature and landscapes of Patmos
Patmos is still a wild island, where nature manages to take its course undisturbed, despite the myriad of visitors it receives throughout the year. Here everything flows without paying attention to the hands of the clock, and everything has a mystical flavor, permeated by a heavy religious and mysterious imprint.

Geography and physical characteristics
It extends for 35 square kilometers, small we can say, and is made of roads that climb through gentle slopes and then descend towards the coast, offering wild and original beaches where you can spend entire days benefiting from the effects of the sea. Of volcanic origin, it is arid and bare; there are three rocky blocks joined together by narrow canals. Towards the south you can find small plains where vegetables and fruit are grown. The dominant municipality of Patmos always remains the Aegean, which surrounds it like a tender embrace, giving it fairytale coastlines.

Mythology of Patmos
According to Greek mythology, Patmos was hidden under the Aegean and visible only when Selene, the Goddess of the Moon, shone above it. Artemis, Goddess of hunting and forests, when she saw it, fell madly in love with it and wanted to have it only for herself. She asked Zeus and the Gods of Olympus to make it re-emerge from the sea, a wish that was granted and thanks to the Goddess today even we mere mortals can enjoy so much wonder.

History of Patmos
It was inhabited since ancient times, we are talking about the 4th and 3rd centuries BC, as can be seen from the remains of the black stone walls that can be seen on the Kastro hill, in Chora, above the port. It was colonized by the Dorians and the Ionians, and then passed under the Romans, who used it as a place of exile for politicians and a residence for notables. In the 1st century BC it was a fortress of Miletus, a coastal city in Asia Minor (consider that Patmos is very close to Turkey like all the Dodecanese), with the aim of defending access to the port. In 1088, Alexius Comnenus, Byzantine emperor, ceded the island to the monk Christodoulou, who founded the Monastery of St. John. From the 13th century onwards, it enjoyed the protection of the Serenissima, which settled in 1207, and for Patmos it was a prosperous period, where cultural and decorative activities took hold, greatly embellishing the Monastery and making it the splendor that can still be admired today. In 1912 it became Italian and then returned to Greece, like all the Dodecanese, after the Second World War.

Why visit Patmos
You choose to come for a holiday to Patmos for its disarming tranquility. Here there are no crazy parties or wild parties; yes, there are places to watch the sunrise, but everything has a sophisticated and soft flavor. For its raw natural beauty, made of inlets that are sometimes difficult to reach but that offer views that will leave you speechless, for the mysticism that will invade you as soon as you get off the ferry, an energy that is difficult to explain in words but that will enter your body and mind without you realizing it. For the good food, with many restaurants and typical taverns where you can taste the delights of Greek and local cuisine. And finally, for its beaches, beautiful, unspoiled and all to be discovered.

The Cave of the Apocalypse
Not to be missed is the Cave of the Apocalypse, an experience that could leave a profound mark on you. It is located just below Chora, the capital of Patmos, and is still perfectly preserved. One of the primordial temples of the Christian religion, where Saint John lived and, following the voice of God, wrote the famous text. To reach the large underground room, you have to go down forty steps four meters deep. In the center there is an iconostasis and on the right the point where the Saint sat and rested his head, while above you can see a split in three parts representing the Holy Trinity, from which the divine voice spoke. Shivers, believe us!

Chora (Hora), capital of Patmos
Hora or Chora is the capital of the island and is located four kilometers from Skala, where you land by sea. With a Byzantine flavor, it is recognized by Unesco as a historic city. A real labyrinth of stone houses or painted a blinding white, where it will not be difficult to get lost, with an almost terrifying silence especially in the evening, when you can expect the ghost of a knight or a monk at any moment. Then, turning a corner, you find yourself in tiny squares crowded with people, and immediately after that in nothingness again. Chora is surrounded by the Medieval Fortress with imposing walls and the majestic Monastery of St. John from 1088, built according to legend over a temple dedicated to the Goddess Artemis, which houses a historic library with manuscripts of inestimable value.

Skala, the port of Patmos
Skala is the port of Patmos, a charming town with a succession of narrow streets where you can find delicious goldsmith shops and the perfect souvenir, as well as numerous typical taverns where you can sit and fill your belly with local specialties. After dinner, you can end the evening in one of the bars on the seafront, sipping an exotic cocktail before going to sleep and starting a new day of adventures.

Kampos
Let’s move to the Kampos area, divided into two parts: the upper area with a pretty little church and two cafes (two in number), and the lower area, where there is the beach that occupies the entire bay, where the locals love to gather on Sundays for a day at the beach. Behind the beach, taverns with tables under the trees, where you can forget about your slippers and have lunch or dinner with your feet in the sand.

Grikos
Towards the south you arrive at Grikos, once a simple village, which in recent years has seen exponential growth with luxurious hotels and old houses renovated in a modern style. A mostly free coastline, with providential tamarisk trees where you can lay out your towel and fall asleep to the sound of the waves of the sea.

Where to sleep in Patmos
In our experience, Skala is the most comfortable place. Considering that Patmos is really small and therefore the distances are not that important, the capital is undoubtedly the most comfortable for the presence of all the services. Grikos and Kambos are perfect for those who want the sea just a stone’s throw away, some taverns and lots and lots of sun and sea, a top structure is Pico Bello. In recent years, among other things, new accommodations are popping up like mushrooms even in more isolated locations, do not be afraid to experiment, all you need is a vehicle and the connection with the modern world is a moment. Finally, the mysterious Chora with its super luxury accommodations that are villas overlooking the sea or refined apartments excellent for a holiday package for couples.

Patmos is an island to be discovered, that will make you fall in love with its simplicity, and which you will miss. You will no longer be able to help but return.

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