Patmos, the 10 most important attractions
Chora, the island's capital, is a Byzantine settlement, full of narrow alleys, arcades, cobblestone streets and impressive mansions. Since 1999 it has been on the list of the World Heritage Sites of UNESCO. The 1th The settlement of Chora was created by craftsmen from the Monastery, who built their houses near the Castle (1132), for protection from pirates. The district Alien, in the W. of Chora, was created by refugees from Constantinople who came here after the "Fall" (1453). A characteristic example of the architecture of this settlement is the fortified zone of the Byzantine settlement, the "«Inside the Castle» or «Pentapyl». The district Cretan, in the E. of Chora, was developed by refugees from Crete, who arrived on the island after the "«Fall of Chandaka» by the Ottomans (1669), and formed the ruling class. The district Aporthiana, to the N., is the newest settlement. It consists mainly of 18th century mansionsth century, which were built by wealthy merchants and captains of the island such as the Simantiris Mansion and in Nikolaidis Mansion.
PATMOS ISLAND – 10 SIGHTSEEING
- Sacred Cave of the Apocalypse
The Sacred Cave It is located on the hill, between Skala and Chora, and is a reference point for Christianity worldwide.
Ο Apostle and Evangelist John arrived on Patmos, exiled from Ephesus (94 or 95 AD, under Emperor Domitian), together with his faithful disciple Prochorus. He stayed for about 15 years and returned to Ephesus, where he died at the age of 105.
He wrote "«Holy Book of Revelation»", after many visions he had, with the help of Prochorus. According to tradition, during his stay in the Cave, the rock split, creating 3 smaller cracks, which symbolize the Holy Trinity. Through these cracks, the voice of God was heard, dictating to John the Revelation.
On the rock there is an imprint of the Saint's Head which is said to have been formed when he was leaning on it at the time of writing. Inside the Cave there is a small church dedicated to St. John the Theologian. In the area around the Cave, the Saint Christodoulos founded the church of St. Anna and the chapels of St. Nicholas and St. Artemios. The "«Sacred Cave of the Apocalypse» belongs to World Heritage Sites of UNESCO (1999).
SS The descent to the Sacred Cave presents a relative difficulty as it is done via a small built staircase, with steep steps, and requires a lot of patience to reach it (especially when it is crowded).
2. Holy Monastery of Saint John the Theologian
In 1088 the Emperor of Byzantium, Alexios I Komnenos, gave in to the monk Saint Christodoulos permission to found a monastery for the Evangelist John, at a point higher than the Holy Cave of the Apocalypse.
The monastery was built between 1088 -1093 in the form of a medieval defensive castle, on an ancient altar of the goddess Artemis. The monastery of St. John the Theologian belongs to the World Heritage Sites of UNESCO (1999).
At the entrance to the polygonal wall, 15 m high, stand out the 2 rectangular Towers, with the "catchment" through which they threw lead or hot oil at the invaders. Initially, the Katholikon of the Monastery, the cistern, the auxiliary rooms and the cells were built. Then (12th) the chapels of the Virgin Mary and of Saint Christodoulos, within which His relics are located, were added. On the 16th In the 16th century, from donations by wealthy merchants, the chapels of the Holy Cross, the Holy Apostles, the Holy Basil and the Ark were built. The Monastery has a total of 10 chapels, with 4 of them located in the courtyard.
The last large building, which bears the name of the Metropolitan of Karpathos, Neophytos Grimanis, was made on the 17thth century and gave the Monastery its current form. At the entrance you will see a small pebbled courtyard with a well, the two-story arched portico, «tzafara», and the large 4-story building with the Library and the Sacristy – Museum.
The Library contains valuable manuscripts with the history of the Monastery and the island, the founding chrysoboul of the Monastery of Alexios I Komnenos, and many other rare documents. The Monastery also housed the valuable manuscript with the dialogues of Plato, which was stolen around 1800 and is now at the University of Oxford. The Museum has priceless manuscripts, priestly vestments, textiles, chrysobouls, relics, icons, etc. It is worth seeing the mosaic icon of St. Nicholas (11th ) and the golden mitre of Patriarch Neophytos VI. In the Catholicon you will see the carved gilded iconostasis, made in 1820 by 12 woodcarvers, the Venetian silver candlesticks (17th), the icon of St. John the Theologian and the magnificent frescoes.
3. Holy Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi
It is located SW of the Monastery of St. John and was founded in 1607 by the then Abbot of the Monastery, Parthenio Pangosta. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, as the Life-Giving Source, and to St. John the Theologian. In the Catholicon you will see the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary "Eleoussa", the frescoes (16th-18th ) and the wooden carved iconostasis (16th). The Monastery has a small Museum with sacred vessels. The Monastery is female and celebrates the Feast of the Life-Giving Spring after Easter (information tel.: 22470 20800).
4. Simantiris Mansion –Folklore Museum
The characteristic two-story mansion is located next to the Church of Zoodochos Pigi and was built in 1625. Today it operates as Folklore Museum and includes paintings, family heirlooms (mainly from Odessa) and a rare iconostasis with Russian-style icons (14th – 16th) (information tel.: 22470 31360).
5. Mansion Nikolaidis
Two-storey building with Gothic features, in the NE. of Chora. It was built between 1705 – 1796 and is a typical example of the urban architecture of the island. On the ground floor there is the bakery (kitchen), the cisterns and the private chapel of Agios Nikolaos. On the 1th On the 1st floor you will see the "ypnoi" (bedrooms) and the "nonta" (reception area) with the dividing wooden curtain, the "ambataros" as well as the upper courtyards of the house (information tel.: 22470 32709).
6. Central Square Saint Levia or Lesvia – Lozas or Town Hall Square
The central square of Agia Levia is filled with tables for food and coffee in the summer. Behind the square is the Church of Saint Basil, who is united with the Temple of the Saint Thalleoil and the Saint Athanasius (1722). In the courtyard of the churches there is the cenotaph of the Patriarch of Alexandria of Patmos, Iakovos Pangosta. In Loza Square stands out the house of the co-founder of the Friendly Society, Emmanuel Xanthou, who was born and raised in Patmos.
7. Church of «Virgin Mary Rescuer»
It is located S. of the Monastery of St. John and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, St. Ignatius and the Prophet Zacharias. It is believed that it was built before 1500 and renovated in 1599. It was private until 1907 and then was given to the Monastery. On August 14, the eve of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a procession of the icon of "Virgin Mary the Savior" is held through the alleys of Chora, singing the Encomia (information tel.: 22470 31585, 22470 31350, 22470 31388).
8. Holy Monastery of the Annunciation "Mother of the Beloved"«
The Monastery is located on the NW side of Chora, in the area of Garden. The Gardens or «Gardens of the Saint» (by Saint Christodoulos), it is a fertile valley filled with fruit trees.
The first building was built in 1613, by the Abbot of the Monastery of St. John, Victorious, on the site of the chapel of St. Luke. In 1937 the Abbot of the Monastery of St. John, Amphilochios Makris, added new buildings to the existing small Monastery.
Apart from the Catholic Church, you will see the chapel of St. Luke and the chapel of St. Anthony, with the three-storey defensive Tower. The monastery was and remains a women's monastery with the nuns having been distinguished for their rich charitable work. It has a large collection of icons (15th-17th ) and the most recent ones are painted by the blessed sister Olympiada, who studied alongside the hagiographer Fotis Kontoglou. To reach the Monastery you will have to walk from Chora to the beach of Kipi (about 20 minutes). In the Kipi area, in addition to the Church of the Annunciation, you will also see the chapel of Aghios Anargyros (16th).
9. Windmills
The Windmills of Patmos are located on the hill towards Chora and belong to the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian.
They were built, both in 1588 and the thirdth in 1863, and operated normally until 1950. After their renovation (2010), they were honored for their good operation with the international Award EUROPE OUR.
10. Patmiada Ecclesiastical School
The Patmiada tou Genous Ecclesiastical School founded in 1713 by the Patmos clergyman Makarios Kalogeras, deacon of the Holy Monastery of St. John, with the aim of educating the monks. From the Patmiada School great personalities of the Church and the Nation graduated, such as Patriarch Gregory V, the Patriarchs of Alexandria, Jerusalem and Antioch, many clergymen, the founder of the Friendly Society Emmanuel Xanthos, the Ioannis Themelis, the Emmanuel Kalos etc.
The School was originally housed in the Cave of the Apocalypse, but today it has its own building, between Skala and Chora, just above the Cave. It operates as an Ecclesiastical Middle School and a General Ecclesiastical High School.
ACCESS TO THE LAND OF PATMOS
Access to Country and at the Sacred Cave of the Apocalypse (if you do not have your own means of transportation), it is possible by local bus or taxi. Also if you like hiking you can choose the old picturesque path (20 minutes walk).
If you have come to Patmos for a short time, e.g. from a cruise ship, and your time is limited, the only solution is a taxi. It will take you to the Cave, give you time to see it and then take you to Chora, where you will have time to visit the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and explore the alleys. Then, he will come to pick you up to return you back to the port, Skala (for the same price). It would be a good idea to ask for the driver's phone number so you don't get confused. Also, if you get 4 people in the taxi (even strangers to you), it is better for you as you will share the fare (you will find the taxis at the port, right where you will disembark from the cruise ship boats).
USEFUL INFORMATION
Municipality of Patmos, tel.: 22470 31235
Municipal Visitor Services Office, tel.: 22470 31666
Port Authority, tel.: 22470 31231
Health Center, tel.: 22470 31211
Police Department, tel.: 22470 31303
Rooms for Rent, tel.: 22470 31541
Church of Saint John the Theologian, tel.: 22470 20800
Holy Cave of the Apocalypse, tel.: 22470 31234
Church of the Annunciation "Mother of the Beloved", tel.: 22470 31276, 22470 31116
Holy Mother of God Zoodochos Pigi, tel.: 22470 20800
Holy Mother of God, tel.: 22470 31585, 22470 31350, 22470 31388
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