Patmos Island
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HISTORY
Aside from the
mythological reference to Patmos as the place where
Orestes sought refuge from the pursuit of the Furies,
little is known about the early history of the island.
According to the archeological evidence, it appears to
have been inhabited from the 6th century BC at least. |
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During the Hellenistic era
and afterwards, it served as a place of exile, and it
was here that St. John the Theologian was banished
(95-97 AD) and wrote the Book of Revelations. |
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Until the 11th century,
frequent pirates left the island virtually deserted. But
subsequently under Byzantine and Venetian rule Patmos
began to prosper economically and culturally. In the
late 17th century the celebrated Theological College was
founded here. Like all the other Dodecanese, Patmos was
governed by Italy after the Turkish defeat of 1912 until
1945. |
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SIGHTSEEING
Patmos is one of the
smallest inhabited islands in the Aegean. It possesses
two principle settlements: Skala, the main port since
1600, whose snow-white house form a semi-circle around
the sea; and the capital, Patmos or Hora, perched on a
hill 3 km to the south. Here the houses are more
impressive; many of them are grand neo-classical
mansions. |
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The most important monument
on the island is situated in the central, highest point
in the Hora. This is the monastery-fortress of St. John
the Theologian founded in 1088. A Byzantine construction
surrounded by crenellated walls, it contains one of the
finest libraries in Greece, noted for its collection of
rare manuscripts. The Treasury, too, has a wealth of
valuable icons and liturgical vessels. |
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Between the two main
villages lies the Cave of the Apocalypse, where the
sacred text was composed. On Kastelli hill, near Skala,
vestiges of the acropolis and ancient cemetery may be
seen. A few tiny hamlets, their diminished populations
due to the stony soil, are scattered about the island.
There is, however, an abundance of lovely, quiet
beaches, some sandy, some rather rocky (Kathisma tou
Apollo, Grikas, Kallikatsou, Livadi Kaloyiran, Diakofti). |
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The easiest way to reach
them is by caique, which also make trips to the
neighboring islets of Arki and Agathonisi. Despite daily
visits by cruise ships, Patmos has surprisingly little
tourist development and is a good place for a peaceful
holiday. |
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TO GO?
Take a ferry
from Kusadasi to Samos then from Samos to Patmos. |
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Add
your Patmos Link here |
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