Greece: Travel Guide: Dodecanese Islands: Patmos

Greece: Dodecanese islands: 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 roughly 3,000 and an area of 34.6 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.

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.