Patmos is the island of the Apocalypse, the Holy island or the “Jerusalem of the Aegean”. It is thought of as a one of the most spectacular islands in Greece with a many religious monuments, great beaches, graphic villages and a unique landscape. Until some years before Patmos was an island ideal for quiet vacation. Today, it is a popular travel destination including everything.
The capital PATMOS or Chora, is 3 kilometers south-east of the port of SKALA. Skala is the main settlement on Patmos and features whitewashed houses, flowered courtyards as well as hotels, rooms to let, restaurants, coffeehouses, bars, clubs for your nightlife and many shops. About 200 meters from the port is Agios Theologos sandy beach.
Chora is a picturesque, traditional settlement, built beneath the austere walls of the fortress-monastery of Saint John and has dazzling white houses, narrow streets, small squares and a few mansions owned originally by sea-captains.
The major attraction of Chora and of the island as a whole, is the Fortress-Monastery of Saint John Theologos (tel. 22470 31398, 31917), thanks to which Patmos became a major religious and spiritual center of Orthodoxy. It forms an imposing monastery complex, surrounded by a fortified enceinte with battlements. The monastery church is in domed cross-in-square type and has superb wood-carved icons.
Many architectural members from the ancient temple of Artemis, whose ruins can be seen here, were used in the church. One of the chapels houses the relic of St. Christodoulos. The monastery also has an important library, containing many books and codices and an Ecclesiastical Museum.
The Folklore Museum of Chora, housed in the Simantiris mansion, has some interesting objects on display (tel. 22470 31360).
Half way between Chora and Skala is the Cave of the Apocalypse (tel. 22470 31234), which is enclosed by the complex of the monastery of the same name. In the mouth of the cave is the church of Agia Anna.
A short distance away is the Patmias School.
On the Kastelli hill, above the harbor of Skala, are preserved the remains of the acropolis of Fora, the ancient capital of the island.
Very close to the port of Skala is Meloi beach. The islands camping site is only 20 meters away from this beach.
Agriolivadi is approximately 1,5 km. from Skala. It has a long sandy beach with small pebbles. Sun beds and water sports are available. There is also a tavern and beach bar.
The sea- side settlement of GRIKOS, 5 kilometers south-west of Chora, lies in a sheltered bay with a sandy beach, the largest of the island, with clear waters and tamarisk trees for shade. It is a popular settlement during the summer because it is quieter than most settlements around the island.
In Grikos you will find smaller beaches with sand and others with pebbles. Most crowded are the beaches of Psili Ammos and of Diakofti. These two beaches are considered the most beautiful around the island.
In the region you will find many hotels, apartments and rooms to let, motorbike rentals and taverns.
Alikes is a sandy beach, situated south of Grikos. Other small settlements include Pano and Kato Kampos, Vagia, Livadi, Lefkes.
Pano Kambos is built around a picturesque square with a beautiful church on one side and tasty taverns and cafes on the other.
Kato Kampos is a fine sandy beach with small pebbles, the most popular on Patmos island. It is fully organized with sun beds, umbrellas and water sports. In the regions you will find taverns and cafes.
Livadi is one of the most famous beaches on the island. It’s a sandy beach with some small pebbles and crystal clear waters, always calm due to the protection offered by the facing island of Agios Georgios. Vagia is a pebble beach with tamarisk trees for shade. It is situated 7 kilometers from the port.
Others sights of interest are the monastery of the Panagia Apollou, the little church of the Panagia Geranou and the church of Agios Nikolaos Evdimos or Avdelos, one of the earliest churches on the island (11th c.)
TRADITION – EVENTS
On the Thursday of Easter week, there is a re-enactment of the Washing of the Disciple’s Feet in Chora, during which twelve monks play the parts of Christ’s disciples and the Priest washes their feet, as Jesus did during the Last Supper.
On the afternoon of Good Friday, there is also a re-enactment of the Descent from the Cross in the monastery of Saint John Theologos. During the whole of Easter Week there is an atmosphere of penitence on the island, and many visitors come to Patmos from Greece and abroad to experience it.
There are a number of festivals throughout the year, which are celebrated with dancing and song.
NEARBY ISLANDS
The small islands of ARKI, MARATHI, and AGATHONISI, a short distance from Patmos, have very few inhabitants, a small number of rented rooms, taverns and superb, remote beaches.
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